FAITH. R. 5. Andros. A SWALLOW in the spring Came to our granary, and 'neath the eaves Essayed to build her nest, and there did bring Wet earth, and straw, and leaves. Day after day she toiled With patient art, but ere her work was crown'd, She found the ruin wrought; Yet not cast down, forth from her place she flew, And with her mate fresh earth and grasses brought And built her nest anew. But scarcely had she placed The last soft feather on its ample floor, But still her heart she kept, And toil'd again; and last night, hearing calls, I look'd, and lo! three little swallows slept Within the earth-made walls. What truth is here, O man! Hath hope been smitten in its earliest dawn? Have clouds o'ercast thy purpose, trust or plan? Have faith, and struggle on! IT IS NOT ALWAYS MAY. Longfellow. THE sun is bright, the air is clear, So blue yon winding river flows, All things rejoice in youth and love, Maiden, that read'st this simple rhyme, Enjoy the spring of love and youth, SPEAK GENTLY. Anon. SPEAK gently! it is better far Speak gently! Love doth whisper low Speak gently to the little child! Speak gently to the young; for they Speak gently to the aged one Grieve not the care-worn heart; Speak gently, kindly to the poor, Speak gently to the erring-know Speak gently! He who gave his life Speak gently!-'tis a little thing, LIFE'S LIKENESSES. Anon. LIFE is-what? It is the shooting of a star That gleams along the trackless air, He shines and glitters for a span, And is forgot. It is the vermeil of the rose That blooms but till the bleak wind blows; Then all combined with sweets doth fade and rot. And such is man; He struts in bravery for a span It is the dew drop of the morn Till quaffed by sunbeams it flies e'en from thought: And such is man ; He's steeped in sorrow for a span, A stone whose fall doth circles make On the smooth surface of a lake, Which spread till one and all forsake the spot : And such is man; He's steeped in sorrow for a span, And is forgot. It is a bubble in the main, Caused by a little globe of rain, Whose fall destroys the fabric he has wrought: Swelled into being for a span, A shapow on a mountain side A cloud that does on ether ride, |