THE TURTLE-DOVE'S NEST. VERY high in the pine-tree, Who was sitting close by. 5V SLADE "Oh, I love thee," said the Turtle-dove. "And I love THEE." In the long shady branches The young turtle-doves Never quarrell'd in the nest; For they dearly loved each other, Though they loved their mother best. "Coo," said the little doves. "Coo," said she. And they play'd together kindly Is this nursery of yours, STAR CHILD. IN a pleasant chamber, close beside Stood a little bed, in whose bosom deep And all the night, as one by one, The shining stars went up the sky, They paused, and look'd through that window high; And as each and every star in turn, Like a crown of silver lustre shone, Round the head of the boy, more still and deep, One night he awoke, and one star alone Through that lofty casement was shining down: The morrow he went to his pictures and play; And smiled to his thought, as though a fair dream The mother questions him gently the while, 66 'Why does my boy look upward and smile?" "O mother! O mother! I would you might see The beautiful angel that 's watching me." THE LITTLE BOY AND THE STARS. You little twinkling stars, that shine I am not happy lying here, If you will listen, little stars, I'll tell you all I did : I only said I would not do The thing that I was bid! I'm six years old this very day, And not to have my own way yet I do not know how old you are, But you may twinkle all night long And play at hide-and-seek. If I were with you, little stars, How merrily we'd roll Across the skies and through the clouds, The moon, that once was round and full, We'd launch it off that bright-edged cloud, Does anybody say, "Be still," When you would dance and play? Does anybody hinder you When you would have your way? Oh, tell me, little stars, for much The whole night long from east to west, "We have a Father, little child, Who guides us on our way; We never question-when He speaks We listen and obey." |