Not to the folly blinded, Not to the steeped in shame; Not to unholy fame; Not in neglect of duty, Not in the monarch's crown; But to the one whose spirit Fearless of foe or frown Unto the kindly hearted Cometh a blessing down. LITTLE BROWN HANDS. M. H. KROUT. [Recite in a bold, vigorous manner.] They drive home the cows from the pasture, Where the quail whistles loud in the wheat fields, That are yellow with ripening grain. They find in the thick waving grasses Where the thick-lipped strawberry grows; They gather the earliest snowdrops And the first crimson buds of the rose. They toss the new hay in the meadow; They gather the elder bloom white; They know where the apples hang ripest, They gather the delicate seaweeds, And build tiny castles of sand; Those who toil bravely are strongest; The sword, and the chisel, and palette LITTLE JIM. ANON. [Deliver with great tenderness.] The cottage was a thatched one, the outside old and mean; A little worn out creature-his once bright eyes grown dim; And oh, to see the briny tears fast hurrying down her cheek She gets her answer from the child-soft fall these words from him: "Mother, the angels do so smile, and beckon ‘Little Jim;' I have no pain, dear mother, now, but, oh, I am so dry- The cottage door is opened-the collier's step is heard- PRESS ON! ANON. [With vim, and stirringly.] Press on our life is not a dream, To each a daily task is given A labor that shall fit for Heaven. Then go, a conqueror, to thy rest! THE BABY. GEORGE MACDONALD. [Simply and naturally give the two following poems.] "Where did you come from, baby dear?" "Out of the everywhere into the here." "Where did you get your eyes so blue?" "Out of the sky as I came through." "What makes the light in them sparkle and spin ?" "Some of the starry spikes left in." "What makes your forehead so smooth and high ?” "A soft hand stroked it as I went by." "What makes your cheek like a warm white rose ?" "Something better than any one knows." "Whence that three-cornered smile of bliss ?" "Three Angels gave me at once a kiss." "Where did you get that pearly ear?" "God spoke and it came out to hear." "Where did you get those arms and hands?" "Love made itself into hooks and bands." 66 'Feet, whence did you come, you darling things?" "From the same box as the cherub's wings." "How did they all just come to be you?" "God thought about me, and so I grew." "But how did you come to us, you dear?” "God thought of you, and so I am here." |