Under my window, under my window,

And off through the orchard closes; While Maud she flouts, and Bell she pouts, They scamper and drop their posies; But dear little Kate takes naught amiss, And leaps in my arms with a loving kiss, And I give her all my roses.

66

Pretty maid, slow wandering this way,

What's your name?" quoth he

"What's your name? Oh stop and straight unfold, Pretty maid with showery curls of gold,"

"Little Bell," said she.

Little Bell sat down beneath the rocks Tossed aside her gleaming golden locks "Bonny bird," quoth she,

"Sing me your best song before I go," "Here's the very finest song I know, Little Bell," said he.

And the blackbird piped; you never heard
Half so gay a song from any bird

Full of quips and wiles,

Now so round and rich, now soft and slow,

All for love of that sweet face below,

Dimpled o'er with smiles.

And the while the bonny bird did pour

His full heart out freely o'er and o'er 'Neath the morning skies,

In the childish heart below

All the sweetness seemed to grow and grow,
And shine forth in happy overflow

From the blue, bright eyes.

Down the dell she tripped and through the glade, Peeped the squirrel from the hazel shade,

And from out the tree

Swung, and leaped, and frolicked, void of fear, While bold blackbird piped that all might hear"Little Bell," piped he.

Little Bell sat down amid the fern —
"Squirrel, squirrel, to your task return -

Bring me nuts," quoth she.
Up, away the frisky squirrel hies

Golden wood-lights glancing in his eyes-
And adown the tree,

Great ripe nuts, kissed brown by July sun,

In the little lap, dropped one by one
Hark how blackbird pipes to see the fun!
Happy Bell," pipes he.

66

Little Bell looked up and down the glade"Squirrel, squirrel, if you're not afraid, Come and share with me!”

Down came squirrel eager for his fare—

Down came bonny blackbird, I declare;
Little Bell gave each his honest share
Ah the merry three!

And the while these frolic playmates twain Piped and frisked from bough to bough again, 'Neath the morning skies,

In the little childish heart below

All the sweetness seemed to grow and grow,
And shine out in happy overflow,

From her blue, bright eyes.

By her snow-white cot at close of day,
Knelt sweet Bell, with folded palms to pray-

Very calm and clear

Rose the praying voice to where, unseen,
In blue heaven, an angel shape serene

Paused awhile to hear

"What good child is this," the angel said, "That with happy heart, beside her bed Prays so lovingly?"

Low and soft, ah! very low and soft,

Crooned the blackbird in the orchard loft "Bell, dear Bell!" crooned he.

"Whom God's creatures love," the angel fair Murmured, "God doth bless with angels' care; Child, thy bed shall be

Folded safe from harm- Love, deep and kind, Shall watch around and leave good gifts behind. Little Bell, for thee!"

CRADLE SONG

From the German

ELIZABETH PRENTISS

LEEP, baby, sleep!

Thy father's watching the sheep, Thy mother's shaking the dreamland tree, And down drops a little dream for thee. Sleep, baby, sleep!

Sleep, baby, sleep!

The large stars are the sheep,

The little stars are the lambs, I guess,
The bright moon is the shepherdess.

Sleep, baby, sleep!

Sleep, baby, sleep!

And cry not like a sheep,

Else the sheep-dog will bark and whine, And bite this naughty child of mine. Sleep, baby, sleep!

Sleep, baby, sleep!

Thy Saviour loves His sheep;

He is the Lamb of God on high

Who for our sakes came down to die.
Sleep, baby, sleep!