XX. THE LESSON OF THE FLOWERS. COME, my love, and do not spurn From a little flower to learn. See the lily on its bed, Yet we love the lily well For its sweet and pleasant smell, Come, my love, and do not spurn 'Tis not beauty that we prize, - But humility will last, Fair and sweet, when beauty's past: And the Father from above Views a humble child with love. Hymns for Mothers and Children. A XXI. THE BEGGAR. BEGGAR through the world am I; Fill up my pilgrim's scrip for me A little of thy steadfastness, Old oak, give me, That the world's blasts may round me blow, And I yield gently to and fro, While my stout-hearted trunk below, And firm-set roots, unshaken be. Some of thy stern, unyielding might, The changeful April sky of chance, Some of thy pensiveness serene, Some of thy never-dying green, Put in this scrip of mine, That griefs may fall like snow-flakes light, And deck me in a robe of white, Ready to be an angel bright, A little of thy merriment, Ye have been very kind and good Heaven help me! how could I forget Some of thy modesty, J. R. Lowell. T XXII. KINDNESS TO ANIMALS. NURN, turn the hasty foot aside, Nor crush the helpless worm : The frame thy wayward looks deride Required a God to form. The common Lord of all that move, The sun, the moon, the stars, he made And spreads o'er earth the grassy blade Let them enjoy their little day, Gisborne. XXIII. "Nor to myself alone," The little opening flower transported cries, "Not to myself alone I bud and bloom: With fragrant breath the breezes I perfume, And gladden all things with my rainbow dyes. The bee comes sipping every eventide His dainty fill; The butterfly within my cup doth hide "Not to myself alone," The circling star with honest pride doth boast, "Not to myself alone I rise and set: I write upon Night's coronal of jet His power and skill who formed our myriad host; A friendly beacon at heaven's open gate, I gem the sky, That man may ne'er forget in every fate "Not to myself alone," The heavy-laden bee doth murmuring hum, — With busy care, Content if I repay my ceaseless toil |