None of us, I hope, would ever Wish to give a creature pain; If we have--oh, may we never Wish to do the like again.
For the cruel and unkind, Almighty God will never love : No; none such can ever find Joy and peace in Heaven above.
THE DUCK AND GOOSE.
What awkward, waddling heavy birds The goose and duck appear; They like to swim upon the stream, And dive, nor think of fear.
They feed on grain, on fish, or frogs,
On snails, insects, or worms;
And often rove in ditch or bogs, Or just within the barns.
Their feathers make our warm soft beds, Their flesh is rich and nice;
Ducks quack-geese hiss-and raise their heads, But are not very wise.
THE SPARROWS.
See how the lively sparrows feed On crumbs of bread, and grains of seed, When just below the roof they fall, The birds sit watching on the wall.
When fresh and strong, away they fly, And look for seed with eager eye; The value of these birds is small, But still, God's care is over all.
And much more is each child his care Than many sparrows of the air;
To us he sends from heav'n above The tokens of his tender love; And Jesus came for us to die,
That we might dwell with him on high.
The cow has two horns, the fish has a gill, The horse has four hoofs, and the duck has a bill; The bird has two wings, that on high it may sail, The lion a máne, and the monkey a tail; The serpent and worm on their belly both creep, The dormouse, one half of the season doth sleep; The snail crawls along with his shell on his back, The squirrel eats nuts, tho' the shells he don't crack ; The mole has sharp claws, to work under ground; The owl flies by night, barns and stables around; The bat, a strange animal, 'twixt a bird and a mouse, Flies abroad after sunset, round the church or the house. Each child has two hands, with five fingers on each, On purpose to work with-to hold, write or reach. Neither birds, beasts, or fish-for work, or for play- Have any thing half so convenient as they; But if they should use them to scratch or to fight, 'Tis certainly true they don't use them aright; Nor will the dear Saviour e'er bless any child, Who's not kind and obedient, tender and mild.
The eagle, call'd the king of birds, Soars high, with crooked beak ; The starling may be taught some words; The jet black crow is meek.
The parrot is a prateapace,
And says, he knows not what ; The
sparrow will your cherries taste; Ostriches walk or trot.
The lark sings high up in the air, The linnet on the tree; The swan he has a bosom fair, And who so proud as he.
O yes, the peacock is more proud, He'll spread his tail and strut; The owl, at night, will hoot aloud ; The buzzard's eyes are shut.
The raven's coat is shining black, Or rather raven-grey;
The gobbling duck in mud doth quack ; The lapwing screams by day.
The pelican, she loves her young; The stork his father loves; The woodcock's bill is very long,
And innocent are doves.
The blackbird's song, tho' loud, is sweet; The hen guards well her brood; The goose, the nice fresh grass will eat, And peas are pigeons' food.
The little wren is very small; The humming-bird is less; The lady-bird is least of all And beautiful in dress.
THE BUTTERFLY.
The pretty little butterfly
We know by God was made; With many pretty colours, too,
Some white, some black, some red
God gave it wings, and it can fly Much higher than my head; How very wise that God must be,
By whom all things were made. Not all the men that's in the world Can make one, if they try; The power belongs to God alone To make a butterfly.
Then surely I should never dare To be unkind at all; Nor hurt whatever God has made, Altho' it be but small.
A little black ant found a large grain of wheat Too heavy to lift or to roll;
So he begg'd of a neighbour he happen'd to meet To help it down into his hole.
"I've got my own work to see after,” said he, "You must shift for yourself, if you please;" So he crawl'd off, as selfish and cross as could be, And lay down to sleep at his ease.
Just then a black brother was passing the road,
And seeing his neighbour in want,
Came up, and assisted him in with his load,
For he was a good-natured ant.
Let all, whom this story may happen to hear, Endeavour to profit by it;
For often it happens that children
As cross as the ant every
And the good-natured ant, who assisted his brother, May teach those who choose to be taught, That if little insects are kind to each other, All children most certainly ought.
'Twas God who made that little fly, And if I pinch it, it will die;
And Teacher tells me, God hath said, I must not hurt what God hath made.
For God is very kind and good, Gives even little flies their food; And he loves every little child
Who's kind in heart, and meek, and mild.
THE DROWNING FLY.
In yonder glass behold a drowning fly; Its little feet how vainly does it ply! Its cries we hear not-yet, it loudly cries, And gentle hearts can feel its agonies. Poor helpless insect! And will no one save? Will no one snatch thee from the watery grave ? My finger's top shall prove a friendly shore : There, trembler-all thy dangers now are o'er ; Wipe thy wet wings, and banish all thy fear; Go-join thy num❜rous kindred in the air. Smile not, spectators, at this humble deed, An act of kindness well becomes our creed.
THE SPIDER.
There is an insect with eight eyes, Two legs, two arms, two claws; It poisons pretty little flies,
Which in its web it draws.
Out of itself its web it spins, With industry and skill; Then, quickly, on its prey it springs, And with its venom kills.
So, snares are laid in many ways For little girls and boys;
But God will keep him safe who prays, And bless with inward joys.
THE SILK-WORM.
Come, and I'll tell you what is wonderful! The silk-worm is wonderful;
For all the silk in the world is made
By that little creature! Breaking from Her little egg-first, as a caterpillar ; Then, with her curious mouth, Weaving her golden shroud;
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