A

SELECTION OF POETRY

FOR

THE USE OF SCHOOLS.

COMPILED BY

WILLIAM OSBORN,

Hope Street Schools, York.

PUBLISHED BY

THE EDUCATIONAL TRADING COMPANY, LIMITED.
LONDON:
: 9 & 10, ST. BRIDE'S AVENUE, FLEET STREET, E.C.
BIRMINGHAM: 91 AND 92, NEW STREET.

BRISTOL 34, Bridge STREET.

280. n.

262

PREFACE.

THIS little book has been compiled by a teacher, who has long felt the want of a cheap and well-selected collection of poems for use in his own school. Preference has been given to those pieces which appeared most calculated to instil correct sentiments and promote sound moral development. The poems are not put in chronological order, but are arranged in the way in which experience has shown they should be read or committed to memory.

POETRY.

THE VIOLET.

Down in a green and shady bed,'
A modest violet grew,

Its stalk was bent, it hung its head,
As if to hide from view.

And yet it was a lovely flower,
Its colour bright and fair;
It might have graced a rosy bower,
Instead of hiding there,

Yet there it was content to bloom,
In modest tints arrayed;

And there diffused a sweet perfume,
Within the silent shade.

Then let me to the valley go,
This pretty flower to see;

That I may also learn to grow
In sweet humility.

J. TAYLOR.

THE POPPY.

HIGH on a bright and sunny bed
A scarlet poppy grew,

And up it held its staring head,
And thrust it full in view.

Yet no attention did it win,
By all these efforts made,
And less unwelcome had it been
In some retired shade.

Although within its scarlet breast
No sweet perfume was found,
It seemed to think itself the best
Of all the flowers a.ound.

From this may I a hint obtain,
And take great care indeed,
Lest I appear as pert and vain
As does this gaudy weed.

J. TAYLOR.

AN EASY LESSON IN CHEMISTRY

SOME Water and Oil

One day had a broil,

As down in a glass they were dropping;
And would not unite,

But continued to fight,
Without any prospect of stopping.
Some Pearlash o'erheard,
And quick as a word,

He jumped in the midst of the clashing,
When all three agreed,

And united with speed,

And Soap was created for washing.

ON DIFFERENCE OF COLOUR

GOD gave to Afric's sons

A brow of sablc dye,

And spreads the country of their birth
Beneath a burning sky;

And with a cheek of olive, made
The little Hindoo child,

And darkly stained the forest tribe
That roam the western wild.

To me he gave a form

Of fairer whiter clay;

But am I therefore in his sight
Respected more than they?

No: 'tis the hue of deeds and thoughts

He traces in his book,

'Tis the complexion of the heart

On which he deigns to look.

Not by the tinted cheek,

That fades away so fast,

But by the colour of the soul

We shall be judged at last.

And God, the Judge, will look at me
With anger in his eyes,

If I my brother's darker brow

Should ever dare despise.

SPEAK GENTLY.

SPEAK gently, it is better far

To rule by love than fear;

MRS. SIGOURNEY.

Speak gently! let not harsh words mar

The good we might do here.

Speak gently to the little child,
His love be sure to gain ;
Teach it, in accents soft and mild,
It may not long remain.

Speak gently to the young, for they
Will have enough to bear;

Pass through this life as best they may,
'Tis full of anxious care!

Speak gently to the aged one,
Grieve not the care-worn heart;
The sands of life are nearly run,
Let such in peace depart.

Speak gently, kindly, to the poor,
Let no harsh tones be heard ;
They have enough they must e.idure,
Without an unkind word.

Speak gently to the erring; know
They may have toiled in vain ;
Perchance unkindness made them so,
Oh! win them back again!

Speak gently; 'tis a little thing
Dropp'd in the heart's deep well;
The good, the joy, which it may bring,
Eternity shall tell.

THE DAISY.

THERE is a flower, a little flower,
With silver crest and golden eye,
That welcomes every changing hour,
And weathers every sky.

The prouder beauties of the field,
In gay but quick succession shine;
Race after race their honour yield,
They flourish and decline.

But this small flower to nature dear,

While moon and stars their courses run, Wreathes the whole circle of the year, Companion of the sun.

It smiles upon the lap of May,

To sultry August spreads its charms,
Lights pale October on its way,
And twines December's arms.

The purple heath, and golden broom,
On moory mountains catch the gale ;