186

DIFFERENT MINDS

Some murmur when their sky is clear
And wholly bright to view,

If one small speck of dark appear

In their great heaven of blue;
And some with thankful love are filled
If but one streak of light,

One ray of God's good mercy, gild
The darkness of their night.

In palaces are hearts that ask
In discontent and pride,
Why life is such a dreary task,
And all good things denied;
And hearts in poorest huts admire
How Love has, in their aid
(Love that not ever seems to tire),

Such rich provision made.

RICHARD CHEVENIX TRENCH

187

THE CAMEL'S NOSE

Once in his shop a workman wrought,
With languid head and listless thought,
When, through the open window's space,
Behold! a camel thrust his face!

"My nose is cold," he meekly cried;

Oh, let me warm it by thy side!"

Since no denial word was said,

In came the nose, in came the head;
And sure as sermon follows text,
The long and scraggy neck came next;
And then, as falls the threatening storm,
In leaped the whole ungainly form.

Aghast the owner gazed around,
And on the rude invader frowned;
Convinced as closer still he pressed,
There was no room for such a guest;
Yet, more astonished, heard him say,
If thou art troubled, go away,

For in this place I choose to stay."

O youthful hearts to gladness born,
Treat not this Arab lore with scorn!
To evil habits' earliest wile,

Lend neither ear, nor glance, nor smile;
Choke the dark fountain ere it flows,
Nor e'en admit the camel's nose!

LYDIA H. SIGOURNEY

188

SUPPOSE

Suppose the little cowslip

Should hang its golden cup,

And say, "I'm such a tiny flower,
I'd better not grow up";

How many a weary traveller
Would miss its fragrant smell,

And many a little child would grieve
To miss it from the dell.

Suppose the little breezes

Upon a summer's day,

Should think themselves too small to cool

The traveller on his way;

Who would not miss the smallest

And softest ones that blow,
And think they made a great mistake
If they were talking so?

Suppose the little dew-drop

66

Upon the grass should say,

What can a little dew-drop do?

I'd better roll away.".

The blade on which it rested,

Before the day was done,
Without a drop to moisten it,
Would wither in the sun.

How many deeds of kindness
A little child can do,

Although it has but little strength,

And little wisdom, too!

It wants a loving spirit

Much more than strength, to prove How many things a child may do For others, by its love.

ANONYMOUS

189

EVERY LITTLE HELPS

Suppose a little twinkling star,

Away in yonder sky,

Should say,

What light can reach so far

From such a star as I?

Not many rays of mine so far
As yonder earth can fall;
The others so much brighter are,

I will not shine at all."

Suppose a bright-green leaf that grows

Upon the rose-bush near,

Should say,

"Because I'm not a rose,

I will not linger here."

Or that a dew-drop, fresh and bright

Upon that fragrant flower,

Should say, "I'll vanish out of sight,

Suppose a little child should say, "Because I'm not a man,

I will not try, in word or play,

To do what good I can."

Dear child, each star some light can give,

Though gleaming faintly there;

Each rose-leaf helps the plant to live;
Each dew-drop keeps it fair.

And our good Father, who's in Heaven,
And doth all creatures view,

To every little child has given
Some needful work to do.

Kind deeds towards those with whom you live, Kind words and actions right,

Shall, 'mid the world's worst darkness, give

A little precious light.

190

SUPPOSE

ANONYMOUS

Suppose, my little lady,

Your doll should break her head;
Could you make it whole by crying
Till your eyes and nose were red?
And wouldn't it be pleasanter
To treat it as a joke,

And say you're glad 'twas Dolly's,
And not your head, that broke?

Suppose you're dressed for walking,
And the rain comes pouring down,
Will it clear up any sooner

Because you scold and frown?
And wouldn't it be nicer

For you to smile than pout,

And so make sunshine in the house
When there is none without?