2. 3. By the soft eloquence of infant tears, It was the seat Small, yet convenient, for their wants were few: At early dawn, he led me to the field; Once, perchance, I found him busied near a murm'ring rill : To various little streams he turn'd its source, Where, wand'ring devious thro' his neat-dress'd grounds, It cheer'd the green copse, fill'd the earing corn; Then trickled gently through the perfum'd grove. 4. "Mark well, my child," he said; "this little stream Shall teach thee Charity. It is a source 5. 6. I never knew to fail: directed thus Be that soft stream, the fountain of thy heart. And flowing softly, like this little rill, Cheer all that droop." The good man did not err; The milk of human-kindness warm'd my breast; Young as I was, I felt for others' woes, And, when I could, reliev'd them.-Yet I was young! I do remember well, a vet'ran old, Maim'd and disfigur'd by the hand of war, I felt, alas! His various wants-sore, sick, and wan, he seem'd; 7. 8. And shall want cloud the evening of his days Whose noon of life was toil?-And then I wept.It was the first time that I e'er knew want: I was indeed a bankrupt. Edgar came. I wept, but spoke not; for my heart was full. child! "Mark me, my This rill, I told thee oft, through all thy life, Should teach thee Charity.-Now let it teach, If yet thou hast to learn, that the bless'd source Of lib'ral deeds, is wise Economy. This morn, like thee, I drew the stream too fast Now-when the parch'd glebe wants its wat'ry aid, The source is all exhausted." CHAPTER III. DIDACTIC PIECES. SECTION I. To some children listening to a lark. 1. SEE the lark prunes his active wings, 3. Shall birds instructive lessons teach, SECTION II. The advantages of early religion. 1. HAPPY the child, whose tender years, Who hates the sinner's path, and fears 2. When we give up our youth to God, A flow'r, that's offer'd in the bud, 3. 'Tis easy work, if we begin To fear the Lord betimes; While sinners, who grow old in sin, 4. 'Twill save us from a thousand snares, 5. To thee, Almighty God! to thee 'Twill please us to look back and see That our whole lives were thine. 6. Let the sweet work of pray'r and praise Thus we're prepar'd for longer days, COTTON. WATTS SECTION III. Peace and love recommended. 1. LET dogs delight to bark and bite; Let bears and lions growl and fight; 2. But, children, you should never let Your little hands were never made 8. Let love through all your actions run, 4. His soul was gentle as a lamb; He grew in favour both with man, And God his Father too. 5. The Lord of all who reigns above, SECTION IV. To a young woman, with a watch. 1. WHILE this gay toy attracts thy sight, And seize, my dear, that rapid time, 2. If idly lost, no art or care The blessing can restore; And Heav'n requires a strict account 3. Short is our longest day of life, WATTS. 4. But equal to our being's aim, The space to virtue giv'n; And ev'ry minute, well improv'd, SECTION V. Verses accompanying a nosegay. 1. THOU canst not steal the rose's bloom, To decorate thy face e; But the sweet blush of modesty, 2. These violets scent the distant gale; So real worth new merit gains, 3. Nor wilt thou e'er that lily's white, Yet innocence may shine as fair, 4. Now, in the op'ning spring of life, The budding virtues in thy breast 5. This nosegay, in thy bosom plac❜d, For soon its brightest tints shall fade, 6. So short-liv'd are the lovely tribes They bud, blow, wither, fall, and die; 7. And thus, my dear, must ev'ry charm, Alike this quick succession prove, 8. Sickness will change the roseate hue, And age will wrinkle with its cares CARTER |