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Soon will come the lovely twilight,
Lingering brightly in the west;
And each little bird, for shelter,
Soon will seek its shady nest.

And the stars will rise above you,
Shining all the livelong night;
Yet you ask not rest nor slumber,
Singing still with free delight.

Year by year, the same sweet story
You to other ears will tell:
Now we leave you, yet we love you;
Gentle river, fare ye well."

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THE GOOD CHILDREN.

WEARY and faint, the blind man came Unto the cottage-door

He'd walk'd so far, his feet were lame, And his dog could run no more.

The sun was shining bright and clear, But he could not see the sun;

The rich ripe grapes were hanging near, But he perceived not one.

Kind little Mary saw him come,
And so did John her brother;
And quick into the house they run,
To tell their loving mother.

But soon the little girl appear'd

With a bowl of milk and bread, And Rover's ears were both uprear'd, When he heard her gentle tread.

He watch'd the bowl with wistful eye,
And plain as looks could speak,
He said his tongue was very dry,
And he had nought to eat.

Then John brought out some wholesome food,

He was a generous boy;

And in his heart it did him good
To see poor Rover's joy.

The blind old man was very glad

When his dog received his share;
Full fervently he bless'd the lad,
And thank'd kind Mary's care.

And as he rose up to depart,
He to the children said,

"May each preserve a loving heart,
When age has bleach'd the head.

"And this shall be my daily prayer—
For I cannot, if I would,

Ask greater blessings for your share,
Than the love of doing good."

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"WILL you walk into my parlour?" said the Spider to the Fly,

"'Tis the prettiest little parlour that ever you did spy; The way into my parlour is up a winding stair,

And I have many curious things to shew when you are there."

“Oh no, no,” said the little Fly, "to ask me is in vain ; For who goes up your winding stair can ne'er come down again."

"I'm sure you must be weary, dear, with soaring up so high;

Will you rest upon my little bed?" said the Spider to the Fly.

"There are pretty curtains drawn around; the sheets are fine and thin,

And if you like to rest awhile, I'll snugly tuck you in!" "Oh no, no," said the little Fly, "for I've often heard it

said,

They never, never wake again, who sleep upon your bed!"

Said the cunning Spider to the Fly, "Dear friend, what can I do,

Το prove the warm affection I have always felt for you? I have within my pantry good store of all that's nice; I'm sure you're very welcome-will you please to take a slice ?"

"Oh no, no," said the little Fly, "kind sir, that cannot be, I've heard what's in your pantry, and I do not wish to see!"

"Sweet creature!" said the Spider, "you're witty and you're wise,

How handsome are your gauzy wings, how brilliant are your eyes!

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