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diff --git a/12007-0.txt b/12007-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..1dbd12c --- /dev/null +++ b/12007-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,2201 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 12007 *** + +[Illustration: BOOK COVER.] + + + + +[Illustration: MOTHER BIRDS.] + + + + +COUSIN HATTY'S + +HYMNS + +AND + +TWILIGHT STORIES. + + +[Illustration] + + +BOSTON: + + + + +1851. + + + + +PREFACE. + + +Most of the simple verses which compose this volume were written for a +very dear child, with no thought beyond her gratification. They are +published at the request of friends, with the hope that other children +may derive the same pleasure from them as the little one for whom they +were first intended. + +_Boston, Dec. 4, 1850._ + + + + +CONTENTS. + + + 1. THE FIRST HYMN + 2. MORNING HYMN + 3. EVENING HYMN + 4. CROSS LOOKS + 5. SELFISHNESS + 6. THE CAT + 7. STUDY FIRST + 8. THE BABY + 9. I AM HAPPY WHEN I DO RIGHT +10. THE BEGGAR GIRL +11. THE GIRL WHO WOULD NOT BE WASHED +12. THE SPIDER +13. MORNING HYMN +14. EVENING HYMN +15. THE LAUNCH +16. SUNDAY +17. THE MEDDLESOME CHILD +18. GOD SEES ME ALWAYS +19. THE ARK AND THE DOVE +20. THE BEE +21. SUNDAY +22. THE PLEASANT WORLD +23. SAMUEL +24. THE BIRD'S NEST +25. GOD LOVES US +26. MOSES +27. ANGER +28. WHAT THE BIRDS SAY +29. THE MONKEY +30. THE SHEEP IN HEAVEN +31. TWILIGHT +32. THE WRONG STORY +33. THE BALLAD +34. THE CHILD'S QUESTION +35. SUNDAY NIGHT +36. HAGAR AND ISHMAEL +37. EVENING HYMN +38. THE FIRST VIOLET +39. CHRISTMAS +40. NEW YEAR +41. EVENING HYMN +42. SOAP-BUBBLES +43. SPRING +44. SUMMER +45. AUTUMN +46. WINTER +47. "GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD" +48. WILLIE IN HEAVEN +49. THE ANGELS +50. THE CHILDHOOD OF JESUS +51. THE FISHERS +52. THE RAINBOW +53. SONG FOR MAY MORNING +54. THE CHILD AND THE FLOWER-ELF +55. THE FOUR GIFTS +56. THE TWO LULLABIES + + + + +THE FIRST HYMN. + + +[Illustration] + +God made the bright, round sun; + He made the pretty flowers; +The little birds, the trees, the clouds + The rain that falls in showers. + +He made papa, mamma, + And baby brother, too; +And mother says He looks from Heaven, + And sees each thing I do. + +Then I must try to be + Pleasant, and sweet, and mild; +For the good God who made me loves + A kind, obedient child. + +[Illustration] + + + + +MORNING HYMN. + + +[Illustration: Letter N.] + +Now again the yellow sun +Shines upon my window-pane; +Now anothor day's begun, +I can laugh and play again. + +I must try to-day to be +Kind in all I say and do; +Then will God be pleased with me, +And mamma will love me too. + +For she says that God above +Loves to see a little child +Sweet and gentle as the dove, +Like the pretty lamb so mild. + + + + +EVENING HYMN. + + +[Illustration: Letter N.] + +Now the sun hath gone to rest, +Stars are coming faint and dim, +And the bird within his nest +Sweetly sings his evening hymn. + +Have I tried mamma to mind? +Was I gentle in my play? +Have I been a true and kind, +Pleasant little girl to-day? + +Then will God take care of me +Kindly, through the long dark night; +Bright and happy, I shall see +Once again the morning light. + + + + +CROSS LOOKS. + + +[Illustration: Letter W.] + +Why, what a frightful face is this! +And what has happened, sir, amiss? +Come, let me wipe these tears away, +And see no more cross looks to-day. + +If Kate did throw your blocks about, +She's very sorry, I've no doubt; +And here she stands to tell you so, +And build another house, I know. + +No tears and crying here must be, +So have a pleasant smile for me. +There, that will do,--now run away, +And kindly with your sister play. + + + + +I MUST NOT BE SELFISH. + + +[Illustration] + +[Illustration: Letter W.] + +When I play with little children + I must very gentle be; +I must always do to others + As I'd have them do to me. + +I must like to give and lend them, + If they want my prettiest toy; +More than my delight and pleasure + I must love my playmate's joy. + +Children who are kind and loving + God above is pleased to see; +Let me ever this remember, + Ever sweet and pleasant be. + +[Illustration] + + + + +THE CAT. + + +[Illustration] + +[Illustration: Letter S.] + +Stop, naughty pussy! that's not fair! +Jump down this minute from the chair! +You've eaten my nice slice of bread. +And here are only crumbs instead. + +I for a minute left the room +To listen to the "Buy a broom," +And now I think it's quite too bad +That you my luncheon should have had. + +[Illustration] + +Her mother said, "My dear, if you +Had done what you were told to do, +And put the plate upon the shelf, +You might have had the bread yourself. + +"But if you have no thought nor care, +And leave your luncheon on a chair, +You must not blame poor pussy-cat; +She knows no better, dear, than that. + +"The one who left her bread about +Upon the chair, while she went out,-- +The one who hangs her head for shame,-- +My little girl's the one to blame!" + +[Illustration] + + + + +STUDY FIRST. + + +[Illustration: Letter N.] + +No, Robbie! you can go away; +I am not ready yet to play; +For I must learn these words to spell, +That I may say my lesson well. + +How sad our dear mamma would look, +To find that I had left my book! +And if I disobeyed her so, +My play would not be gay, I know. + +I'll learn my lesson very soon, +And then I'll run with you till noon; +So, Robbie, you can go away, +And presently I'll come and play. + + + + +THE BABY. + + +[Illustration] + +We've the dearest baby sister! + And so small and sweet is she, +That we love to stand beside her, + All her cunning ways to see. + +She can talk in baby language, + She can laugh, and she can crow; +She's the pet and she's the darling, + She's the sweetest one we know. + +Mother says that she will always + Be a sweet and gentle child, +If, in all our actions towards her, + We are loving, good, and mild. + +Let us, then, be kind and pleasant + Ever to our little pet; +Nor to thank the God who gave her, + Morn and night, let us forget. + +[Illustration] + + + + +I AM HAPPY WHEN I DO RIGHT. + + +[Illustration] + +[Illustration: Letter H.] + +How glad it makes me feel at night, + When sitting on my mother's knee, +To hear her whisper "You've done right, + And tried my gentle child to be." + +But then I feel ashamed and sad + If I've been cross and disobeyed, +Or if my selfish way I've had + When I with other children played. + +So if at night I'd call to mind + A day of undisturbed delight, +The only way that I can find + Is to be loving and do right. + +[Illustration] + + + + +THE LITTLE BEGGAR-GIRL. + + +[Illustration: Signed HOWLANDS.] + + +I've just looked from the window + To see the snow come down, +And make the streets look nice and white, + That lately were so brown. + +I've seen a little beggar-girl + Go by in all the cold; +She had no shoes nor stockings on, + Her dress was torn and old. + +How thankful I should be to God, + Who gives me clothes and food, +A nice warm fire, a pleasant home, + And parents kind and good! + +Mamma, I'll always try to help + The hungry and the poor; +For those who are not warmed and fed, + I pity, I am sure. + + + +THE CHILD WHO WOULD NOT BE WASHED + + +[Illustration: Letter D.] + +"Don't wash me, pray, mamma, today," +I once heard little Jennie say, +"For oh! so very hard you rub, +I never want to see my tub." + +"O, very well," her mother said; +"I'll put you back again to bed; +And you must in your night-gown stay, +Nor come down stairs at all to-day." + +And then I heard Miss Jennie cry, +And beg mamma to let her try; +And say, as she had done before, +That she'd so naughty be no more. + +Her mother turned and left her there; +She heard her step upon the stair; +But in her chamber, all day long, +She staid alone, for doing wrong. + +She heard her sister jump and run, +And longed to join her in her fun; +Her brother made a snow-man high; +But she upon her bed must lie. + +She heard the merry sleigh-bells ring, +And to the door come clattering; +But Jennie could not go to ride +In night-clothes by her father's side. + +And glad was she, as you may guess, +The next day to put on her dress; +She ran and told her mother then +She never would do so again. + + + + +THE SPIDER. + + +[Illustration] + +Don't kill the spider, little Fred, + But come and stand by me, +And watch him spin that slender thread, + Which we can hardly see. + +How patiently, now up, now down, + He brings that tiny line! +He never stops, but works right on, + And weaves his web so fine. + +You could not make a thread so small, + If you should try all day; +So never hurt him, dear, at all, + But spare him in your play. + +[Illustration] + + + + +MORNING HYMN. + + +[Illustration: Letter N.] + +Now a new day just begun, + I'll try to spend it well; +That I may have, when eveningcomes, + No naughty deeds to tell. + +So through my life may every day + Be better than the past; +That God may take me, when I die, + To live in heaven at last. + + + + +EVENING HYMN. + + +[Illustration: Letter T.] + +The sun has set behind the hill, + The bird is sleeping in his nest; +And now, when all around is still, + I lay me down to welcome rest. + +May the kind God, who lives above, + And watches o'er us day and night, +Bless us, and grant us, in His love, + Again to see the morning light. + + + + +THE LAUNCH. + + +[Illustration] + +[Illustration: Letter C.] + +Come, sister Ellen, get your hat + And come away with me; +My boat, all rigged with mast and sail, + I want you so to see! + +Do you upon the landing stand, + While here I'll kneel and blow, +So that the little "Water-witch" + Beneath the arch may go. + +There! there! she's off! how fast she goes + Across the river wide! +I'd love to sit in her myself, + And o'er the water glide. + +When I'm a man I'll have a boat, + And every sunny day, +We'll take a long and pleasant sail, + Till daylight fades away. + +[Illustration: HOPE.] + + + + +SUNDAY. + + +[Illustration: Letter G.] + +God made the day of rest, + The holy Sabbath day, +For us to think and talk of Him, + And not for work or play. + +I'll put away my toys + Safely, the night before; +And Sundays I'll be very still, + Till Monday comes once more. + +And then mamma will say, + That, though I am so small, +I yet can please the great, good God, + Who takes care of us all. + +I love these Sabbath days, + Which God to us doth give; +And may I love them more and more, + Each day and year I live! + + + + +THE MEDDLESOME CHILD. + + +[Illustration: Letter L.] + +Little Lucy was left in the room once alone, + Where the table was set out for tea; +She looked all around, and she thought to herself + That no one was there who could see. + +Then she climbed on a chair and took off the top + Of the sugar-bowl, shining and bright; +And there were the lumps of the sugar she loved, + All looking so nice and so white! + +Then she said to herself, "Mamma never will know, + If I take away only just one;" +So she took it, and ate it;--it tasted so good, + She thought, "But one more, and I've done." + +But while she was reaching her hand out for more, + The chair slipped away from her feet; +And poor little Lucy soon wished much that she + Had not taken the sugar so sweet: + +For her head struck the floor, and made such a noise, + That every one hastened to see; +And all of them knew, by the sugar she held, + How naughty Miss Lucy could be! + +And no one was sorry, although her poor head + Ached sadly because of her fall; +For little girls never--so every one said-- + Should taste or should meddle at all. + + + + +GOD SEES ME ALWAYS. + + +[Illustration: Letter G.] + +God sees me always. When I sleep, + He kindly watches near; +He loves the little child to keep, + Who tries to please Him here. + +When I'm alone He sees me too, + Though no one else is by; +And every naughty thing I do, + He sees it from on high. + +He sees me, too, when I am rude, + And cry, and fret, and tease; +He loves to see me when I'm good + And try mamma to please. + +Then, since He sees me day and night, + And is so kind to me, +I must do always what is right, + His gentle child must be. + +[Illustration] + + + + +THE ARK AND THE DOVE. + + +[Illustration: Letter A.] + +A rain once fell upon the earth + For many a day and night, +And hid the flowers, the grass, the trees, + The birds and beasts, from sight. + +The deep waves covered all the land, + And mountain-tops so high; +And nothing could be seen around, + But water, and the sky. + +But yet there was one moving thing,-- + A still and lonely ark,-- +That, many a weary day and night, + Sailed o'er that ocean dark. + +At last, a little dove was forth + From that lone vessel sent; +But, wearied, to the ark again, + When evening came, she bent. + +Again she went, but soon returned, + And in her beak was seen +A little twig--an olive-branch-- + With leaves of shining green. + +The waters sank, and then the dove + Flew from the ark once more, +And came not back, but lived among + The tree-tops, as before. + +Then from the ark they all came forth, + With songs of joy and praise; +And once again the green earth smiled + Beneath the sun's warm rays. + + + + +THE BEE. + + +[Illustration] + +Now, Ellen, stop screaming and running away, + And come here and listen to me; +Is it true, my dear daughter, I want you to say, + That you're foolishly scared by a bee? + +The bee is as frightened as you are, my dear, + For he can't tell the way to get out; +And as for his sting, that you never need fear, + If you do not run crying about. + +If you were to catch him, why, then, I dare say + You'd soon feel his sharp little sting; +But if you sit still at your work or your play, + Be sure that no harm he will bring. + +So wipe off these tears and never again + Give way to so foolish a fright; +For if you indulge it 't will cost you much pain + And no one will want you in sight. + +[Illustration] + + + + +SUNDAY. + + +[Illustration: Letter T.] + +'T is Sunday morning, dear mamma! + I do not wish to play; +Last night I put my dolls and toys + Safe in my box away. + +I'll come and sit down by your side, + While you the story tell +Of the good little Joseph, whom + His father loved so well. + +And of the time when waters dark + Covered the world around; +And all but Noah in his ark, + Beneath the waves were drowned. + +And of the gentle dove, that forth + O'er those wide waters flew, +And twice, with weary wing, returned, + No resting-place in view. + +And how the infant Moses, too, + Floated the Nile along; +And how his mother made for him + The basket cradle strong. + +Please tell these Bible-stories then, + And take me on your knee, +And I'll sit still, my dear mamma, + And listen quietly. + +[Illustration] + + + + +THE PLEASANT WORLD. + + +[Illustration: Letter I.] + +I love to see the sun go down + Behind the western hill; +I love to see the night come on, + When everything is still. + +I love to see the moon and stars + Shine brightly in the sky; +I love to see the rolling clouds + Above my head so high. + +I love to see the little flowers + That grow up from the ground; +To hear the wind blow through the trees, + And make a rustling sound. + +I love to see the sheep and lambs + So happy in their play; +I love to hear the small birds sing + Sweetly, at close of day. + +I love to see them _all_, because + They are so bright and fair; +And He who made this pleasant world + Will listen to my prayer. + +[Illustration] + + + + +SAMUEL. + + +[Illustration: I.] + +In Bible times so long ago, + And in a far-off city, too, +A mother watched her only child + As he in strength and beauty grew. + +And when his little tottering feet + Had scarcely learned to go alone,-- +Before his baby voice could speak + Her name, with a sweet, joyous tone,-- + +She took her boy and travelled on, + Away from home, for many a mile, +That with a good and holy man + Her darling son might live a while; + +That he might learn about the God + Who made the earth and sea and sky; +And then she left him there and turned + Back to her home, with many a sigh. + +She could not place him on her knee + And tell him he was very dear; +And so she made a little coat + And brought it to him every year. + +But you, my little girl, can learn, + While you are sitting close by me, +Of heaven, and that kind God above, + Who made in love each thing we see. + +And you should thank Him every day, + That you can here His goodness know; +And from your pleasant, happy home, + And your dear parents, need not go. + + + + +THE BIRD'S NEST. + + +[Illustration] + +What is Harry thinking of, + Sitting on that mossy stone? +All his brothers are at play; + Why is he so still and lone? + +He is musing earnestly; + And the flutterings of the bird +And its pleading, feeble chirp + Fall upon his ear unheard. + +Well may little Harry think! + From the pear-tree's withered bough +He has brought the pretty nest, + Placed within his hat-crown now. + +That is why he sits alone; + And he hears a voice within, +Louder than the Robin's note, + Crying, "Harry, this is sin!" + +Then put back the nest, my boy, + So you will be glad and free, +Nor will hasten by in shame, + When you pass that withered tree. + + + + +GOD LOVES US. + + +[Illustration: Letter H.] + +"How beautiful it is, mamma, + That God should love us all; +That He should listen to their prayer, + When little children call! + +"What shall I do for him, mamma? + For He's so kind to me,-- +How shall I show my love to Him + Who made bird, flower and tree?" + +"The only thing which you can do + Is this, my darling child, +Be always gentle, full of love, + In words and actions mild. + +"Thus you will show your love to God + Who is so kind to you; +And you will live with Him at last + In His bright heaven, too." + +[Illustration] + + + + +THE STORY OF MOSES. + + +[Illustration: Letter T.] + +"Tell me a Sunday story," + A dear child said to me; +And I bent down and kissed her + And placed her on my knee. + +"Once, long ago, in countries + Far, very far away, +Where the cold snow-storm never comes, + And all is bright and gay, + +"There lived a king, so cruel, + He gave this stern command, +That all the little children + Must die, throughout the land. + +"But still there was one mother + Who kept her baby dear, +And quickly hushed its crying, + In silence and in fear; + +"But when she could no longer + Her precious baby hide, +She did not like to throw him + Upon the rushing tide; + +"And so a little basket + She made, of rushes stout, +And plastered it with clay and pitch + To keep the water out. + +"Then in this basket-cradle + She put the little child; +And quietly he floated down + Among the rushes wild. + +"Just then the king's own daughter + Came to the water's edge, +And saw the basket floating + Among the grass and sedge. + +"She drew it from the water, + And called the babe her own, +And kept him till to be a man + That little boy had grown. + +"And when you read the Bible,-- + Which you will learn to do,-- +You'll see how great and good he was, + And how God loved him, too." + +[Illustration] + + + + +ANGER. + + +[Illustration: W.] + +"When a child is cross and angry, + Never must her voice be heard; +Only to herself most softly + May she say this simple word, + +"Lead us not into temptation;" + That will angry thoughts remove, +Make her calm and still and gentle, + With a spirit full of love. + + + + +WHAT THE BIRDS SAY. + + +[Illustration] + +"I hear the birds sing, mother, + Yet know not what they say; +I've listened to them often + Until they flew away. + +"Say if their words, dear mother, + To you are clear and plain, +Or if, like me, you've listened + At morn and night in vain." + +"We don't know what they say, dear; + We think they sing their hymn +At early morning sunrise, + Or at the twilight dim. + +"When softly sings the mother, + Within her downy nest, +We think she's gently hushing + Her little ones to rest. + +"But this remember, darling, + The birds are always kind; +A cross or angry songster + I never yet could find. + +"And you may learn a lesson + From their sweet notes of love; +Like them be always gentle, + And please the God above." + +[Illustration] + +[Illustration] + + + + +THE MONKEY. + + +[Illustration: Letter O.] + +"O Mother! here's the organ-man, + And here's the monkey, too! +Just see his funny gown of red, + And little cap of blue! + +"O look! he's on the window there! + His cap is in his paw; +And now he bows and makes a face; + What can it all be for? + +"O, now they've dropped some money in, + While, quickly as he can, +See! he puts on his cap, and gives + The pennies to the man. + +"Mamma! why don't you look at him! + You have not seen at all; +Just see him climbing up and down, + With paws so brown and small! + +"He's gone away! O, dear mamma, + Why did you not come here? +You never saw, in all your life, + A thing one half as queer." + +"I'll tell you why, my little son, + I do not like to see +That monkey bow and jump about; + 'Tis no delight to me. + +"They've had to treat him cruelly + To teach him how to play; +They've had to whip and punish him + And take his food away. + +"And that is why I do not love + To see him dancing so; +And if you thought of it, my boy, + You'd feel with me, I know." + + + + +THE SHEEP IN HEAVEN. + + +[Illustration: Letter C.] + +"Come to the window, mother! + Look out, and you will see +How fast these little clouds sail on, + Above our old elm tree! + +"And tell me, dearest mother, + Are these the sheep of heaven, +That in that land are feeding, + From morning until even? + +"How soft and white and shining! + Oh! say, dear mother, there +Is everything so gentle, + So lovely and so fair?" + +"We cannot see them, darling, + The sheep of heaven, here; +And far more beautiful than this + Does that bright land appear. + +"Eye hath not seen, ear hath not heard, + Nor tongue of man can tell +The glories of that home above, + Where all the good shall dwell." + +[Illustration] + + + + +TWILIGHT. + + +[Illustration: Letter T.] + +The happiest hour of all the day + To me, is always last; +When both my studies and my play, + My walks and work, are past. + +When round the bright warm fire we come, + With hearts so light and free, +And all within our happy home + Are talking quietly, + +Then, by my dear, kind father's side + I sit, or on his knee, +And then I tell him I have tried + His gentle girl to be. + +And then he says the little child + Is loved by every one, +Who has a temper sweet and mild + And smiling as the sun. + +Let me do always as I should, + Nor vex my father dear; +And let me be as glad and good + As he would have me here. + +[Illustration] + + + + +THE WRONG STORY. + + +[Illustration] + +"My little Edward, how could you +Tell me a thing that was not true? +And make me feel thus grieved and sad +To find I have a child so bad? + +"And then, to do a deed so mean, +And wish by that yourself to screen! +Would you have had me blame poor Tray, +And send him from the fire away? + +"O! never, when you've disobeyed, +Or by your mischief trouble made, +Think that a wicked act is right +Because you hide it from my sight. + +"It will be always seen by One, +Who knows each wrong that you have done; +And I shall know it too, no doubt, +For sin must always find you out. + +"I cannot let you here to-day +With me and little sisters stay; +But you must go up stairs alone, +Till you a better boy have grown." + +[Illustration] + + + + +THE BALLAD. + + +[Illustration: Letter C.] + +"Come hither, little brothers, + And listen now to me, +And I will read a story + To both, while at my knee." + +Then Johnnie's flag hung idly, + And Charlie hushed his drum; +To hear sweet Mary's story + The mimic soldiers come. + +"'Tis of a boy no larger, + My little Charles, than you; +But he had been in battle, + And all its terrors knew. + +"His father was a captain; + He had no child beside; +And while he was an infant + His mother dear had died. + +"And so from camp to battle, + From fight to camp again, +Had lived, this little hero, + On many a bloody plain. + +"One day, when shouts were loudest + Upon the reddened field,-- +When came the victor's war-cry, + 'See! see! they fly! they yield!'-- + +"Forth then, to seek his father, + He went with eager joy; +But with a chance ball wounded, + Low lay the fearless boy! + +"The son of a brave chieftain, + He made no sigh or groan; +His father's hand yet tighter + He clasped within his own! + +"And so, when strife was ended, + No more to be begun, +In conquest's very moment + Thus fell the chieftain's son." + +Then John took out his feather, + And put his flag away; +And Charlie's drum was silent + Until another day. + +[Illustration] + + + + + + +THE CHILD'S QUESTION. + + +[Illustration: Letter W.] + +"What are the flowers for, mamma, + That spring up fresh and bright, +And grow on every hill and plain, + Where'er I turn my sight? + +"How do the flowers grow, mamma? + I've pulled the leaves away, +And tried to see them blossom out, + On many a summer's day." + +"The flowers were made, my little child, + That when our footsteps trod +Upon the green and pleasant fields, + We then might think of God. + +"We may not see how they do grow, + And bloom in beauty fair; +We cannot tell how they can spread + Their small leaves to the air: + +"But yet we know that God's kind hand + Creates these little flowers, +And makes the warm sun shine on them, + And waters them with showers. + +"And so we love to think that He, + Who paints their sweet leaves thus, +Who sends the sunshine and the rain, + Has thought and care for us." + + + + + + +SUNDAY NIGHT. + + +[Illustration: Letter T.] + +The holy Sabbath day has fled; + And has it been well spent? +Have I remembered what was said, + And why the day was sent? + +May I be better all the week, + For what to-day has taught; +May I God's love and favor seek, + And do the things I ought! + + + + + + +HAGAR AND ISHMAEL. + + +[Illustration: T.] + +'Twas morning, and the pleasant light +Shone on the hills, the trees, the flowers, +And made a far-off country bright, +A lovely land, but not like ours. + +A mother led her little child +Forth from his father's door away; +And with the flowers he played, and smiled +As beautiful and bright as they. + +But when, at noon, the warm sun beat +Upon the sweet boy's forehead fair, +Tired and thirsty from the heat, +He asked in vain for water there. + +The bottle, filled with water clear +At early day, was empty now; +The mother laid her child so dear +Beneath an old tree's spreading bough. + +She turned away, and heard the sound +Of water, gushing like the rain; +She raised her boy from off the ground, +He drank, and played and smiled again. + +They travelled on for many a day, +The mother and her little child; +And found a home, far, far away, +At last, among the deserts wild. + +[Illustration] + + + + +EVENING HYMN. + + +[Illustration] + +The bird within its nest + Has sung its evening hymn, +And I must go to quiet rest, + As the bright west grows dim. + +I see the twinkling star, + That, when the sun has gone, +Is shining out the first afar, + To tell us day is done. + +If on this day I've been + A selfish, naughty child, +May God forgive the wrong I've done, + And make me kind and mild. + +May he still bless and keep + My father, mother dear; +And may the eye that cannot sleep + Watch o'er our pillows here, + +And guard us from all ill, + Through this long, silent night, +And bring us, by His holy will, + To see the morning light. + + + + + + +THE FIRST VIOLET. + + +[Illustration: Letter S.] + +Spring has come, dear mother! + I've a violet found, +Growing in its beauty + From the cold, dark ground. + +You are sad, dear mother, + Tears are in your eye; +You're not glad to see it; + Mother, tell me why? + +I remember.--Last year, + Where our Willie lies, +Grew the earliest violet, + Blue as were his eyes. + +Then you told me, mother, + That the flowers would fade, +And their withered blossoms + On the earth be laid. + +But you said, as springtime + Would their buds restore, +Willie would in heaven + Be forevermore. + +Weep no more, dear mother! + Violets are in bloom; +And your darling Willie + Lives beyond the tomb. + +[Illustration] + + + + + + +CHRISTMAS. + + +[Illustration: Letter L.] + +"Little children, when rejoicing + In the merry Christmas morn, +'Mid your sports remember ever + 'Tis the day that Christ was born. + +"When on earth, the blessed Saviour + Said, 'Let children come to me,' +And the little ones he folded + In his arms, how tenderly!" + +"But the Saviour is in heaven, + And we cannot see him now; +We cannot receive his blessing, + In his presence cannot bow." + +"Listen. In the holy Bible, + Jesus Christ tells every child +That the way to gain his blessing + Is by being good and mild." + +"Here on earth you may not see him; + But when this short life is done, +You shall live with him forever + Where there is no setting sun." + +"So remember, Christmas morning, + That on earth the Saviour came; +And that still he guards and blesses + Every child who loves his name." + +[Illustration] + + + + + + +NEW YEAR. + + +[Illustration: Letter I.] + +If I resolve, with the new year, + A better child to be, +'Twill do no good at all, I fear, + But rather harm to me, + +Unless I try, with every day, + No angry word to speak; +Unless, each morn, to God I pray + To keep me mild and meek. + +Then let me try with all my might, + And may God help me too, +Always to choose the way that's right, + Whatever act I do. + + + + + + +EVENING HYMN. + + +[Illustration: Letter G.] + +God has kept me, dearest mother. + Kindly, safely, through the day: +Let me thank Him for His goodness, + Ere the twilight fades away. + +For my home and friends I thank Him, + For my father, mother dear; +For the hills, the trees, the flowers, + And the sky so bright and clear. + +If I have been kind and gentle, + If I've spoken what was true, +Or if I've been cross and selfish, + He has seen and known it, too. + +Those I love He will watch over, + Though they may be far away, +For he loves good little children, + And will hear the words they say. + +[Illustration] + + + + + + +SOAP-BUBBLES. + + +[Illustration: Letter O.] + +"O George! how large your bubble is! + Its colors, too, how bright! +Just like the rainbow that we saw + On high, the other night. + +"Now throw it off, and let it float + Like fairies in the air! +It's broken, Georgie; never mind, + But blow another there." + +Their mother, just within the door, + Smiled at their childish play,-- +A smile, but yet a thoughtful one, + That seemed these words to say: + +"My little Georgie, bubbles burst, + And are but empty air; +I would that you might love the things + That last forever fair. + +"And ever may my darling Kate + A trusting spirit bear, +And, when one cherished hope has fled, + Yet find another there." + +[Illustration] + + + + + + +SPRING. + + +[Illustration] + +I am coming, I am coming, + With my carpet soft and green; +I have spread it o'er the common, + And a prettier ne'er was seen. + +Soon I'll spangle it with clover, + And the dandelions bright; +You shall pick them in your aprons, + Yellow, red, and snowy white. + +I am coming, and the tree-tops, + That all winter were so bare, +You shall see, with small leaves covered, + Wave their branches in the air. + +I am coming! Little children, + Can you tell me who am I? +If not, you will soon remember, + For I'm just now passing by. + +[Illustration] + + + + + + +SUMMER. + + +[Illustration] + +[Illustration: Letter T.] + +Tis Summer, I know by the blue of the sky; +By the trees' deeper green, as beneath them I lie; +And more than all these, by the lovely wild rose +That now in the woodland its pink blossom shows. + +Now ring the sharp scythes of the mowers all day, +And they spread to the air the sweet-scented hay; +They pile up the wagon ere daylight is done, +And singing come home with the set of the sun. + +I feel the warm west wind fan gently my cheek +As I sit on the grass, far too happy to speak; +And then in the twilight I see the faint spark +Of the fire-fly, flitting alone in the dark. + +Oh! long happy days, when 'tis full of delight +To roam in the meadows from morning till night! +Oh! summer, sweet summer! glide slowly away, +For I love in your warmth and your fragrance to stay. + +[Illustration] + + + + + + +AUTUMN. + + +[Illustration] + +Here's the purple aster, + And the golden-rod, +And the blue fringed gentian, + By the meadow sod. + +And the scarlet cardinal + Grows beside the brook, +And the yellow sunflower + In some sheltered nook. + +Maple boughs are covered + With their foliage red, +And the withered elm leaves + On the ground lie dead. + +And within the orchard, + Heavy-laden trees +Shower down the apples, + With each passing breeze. + +So by these we know thee, + Lovely autumn time, +With thy deep blue heavens, + And thy snowy rime. + +And we gladly greet thee, + With thy colors gay, +Though thou tell'st us summer + Hence hath fled away. + + + + + + +WINTER. + + +[Illustration] + +With my breath so keen and chilling, + I have stripped the branches bare; +And my snow-flakes white are filling, + Feather-like, the frosty air. + +Coming o'er the lofty mountains, + There I left a robe of white; +I have locked the sparkling fountains, + I have chained the river bright. + +O'er the quiet valley winging, + There I left my traces, too; +Hark! the merry sleigh-bells ringing, + With their music call on you. + +I have come! The school-boy shouting, + Joyfully brings out his sled; +He has seen me, nothing doubting, + As across the fields he sped. + +I have come; but shall I find you + Better than the former year? +If you've cast your faults behind you, + I shall gladly greet you here. + +[Illustration] + + + + +"GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD." + + +[Illustration: Letter G.] + +Give us this day our daily bread; + Oh! children, when you pray, +And morn and night repeat these words, + Think what it is you say. + +You never asked a piece of bread, + And had that wish denied; +For food to eat, and some to spare, + Has always been supplied. + +But o'er the ocean, many a cheek + With want grows thin and pale; +And many suffer like the boy + Of whom I tell this tale. + +He lay upon some scattered straw,-- + His strength was almost gone,-- +And, in a feeble voice, he cried, + "Give me three grains of corn!" + +Three grains from out his jacket torn, + His trembling mother drew, +'Twas all she had--she gave them him, + Though she was starving too! + +Be very grateful, children, then, + For all that you enjoy; +Remembering, as you say those words, + The little Irish boy. + +[Illustration] + + + + + + +WILLIE IN HEAVEN: + + +[Illustration: Letter T.] + +"They tell me in a sunny land + Our Willie is at play; +And with him is a happy band + Of children, good and gay. + +"They say their shining robes of white + Are free from spot or stain; +That there, where it is never night, + They feel no grief or pain. + +"But Willie shunned the stranger's face, + When he was with us here; +And in that new, though lovely place, + He will be sad, I fear. + +"He'll miss me,--though the fields are fair, + His bright eyes will grow dim; +He has no little sister there; + O let me go to him!" + +"Our Willie is not sad, my child; + For in that heavenly home +There dwells the blessed Saviour mild, + Who bids the children come. + +"He loves them with a purer love, + A holier, than ours; +And leads them in the fields above, + Where spring undying flowers. + +"If no ungentle words you speak, + No wicked actions do, +And if, with every day, you seek + To be more kind and true, + +"Then, by our darling Willie's side, + And joined in heart and hand, +Forevermore shall you abide, + Among the angel band." + + + + +THE ANGELS. + + +[Illustration: Letter W.] + +"Where are the angels, mother? + Though you have often said +They watched at night around me, + And safely kept my bed; + +"Though every night I listen + Their voices low to hear, +Yet I have never heard them,-- + Where are they, mother dear? + +"And when the silver moonshine + Fills all my room with light, +And when the stars are shining, + So countless and so bright. + +"I hope to see them coming, + With their fair forms, to me; +Yet I have never seen them,-- + Mother, where can they be? + +"I saw a cloud, this evening, + Red with the setting sun; +It was so very lovely, + I thought it might be one. + +"But when it faded slowly, + I knew it could not be, +For they are always shining; + Why come they not to me?" + +"My child, when through your window + Shines down the moonlight clear,-- +When all is still and silent, + And no kind friend is near,-- + +"Are you not glad and happy, + And full of thoughts of love? +Do you not think of heaven. + That brighter land above? + +"These thoughts the angels bring you; + And though the gentle tone +Of their sweet voices comes not + When you are all alone; + +"Yet they are always leaving, + For earth, their homes on high; +And though you cannot see them, + You feel that they are nigh." + + + + +THE CHILDHOOD OF JESUS. + + +[Illustration: Letter O.] + +Of the childhood of our Saviour + Tells one simple verse alone; +Yet from that his whole behavior + When he was a child, is known. + +He was subject to his mother, + So the holy Scriptures say; +'Tis enough, we need no other + Record of him day by day. + +Thus we, his obedience knowing, + Know how gentle and how mild,-- +How in truth and goodness growing + Was our Saviour from a child. + +Little children, who endeavor + Like the blessed One to be, +As you try, remember ever + How obedient was he. + +If, like Jesus pure and holy, + You your parents' will obey, +You will grow more meek and lowly, + And more like him, every day. + +[Illustration] + +[Illustration] + + + + +THE FISHERS. + + +[Illustration: Letter S.] + +Silence! stir not! for a whisper + Would affright thy pretty prey; +Not a motion, little lisper, + Else the fish will glide away. + +Hush! he's coming! he is swimming + Slowly round and round the bait; +Steady! though thine eye is brimming + Full of mirth that will not wait. + +And thy brother near thee kneeling + Fears to hear thy ringing shout; +Gently! near and nearer stealing + Comes the brightly spotted trout. + +There! thy hook has caught him surely; + Firmly hold thy slender rod; +Pull away! and then securely + Place him on the grassy sod. + +[Illustration] + +'Neath the green boughs rustling o'er you, + Fish away the livelong day; +And with evening's star before you, + Wander home at twilight gray. + +[Illustration] + + + + +THE RAINBOW. + + +[Illustration: Letter W.] + +"What is the rainbow, mother dear, + With many-colored light? +Have the clouds parted just to show + The floor of heaven so bright? + +"Or is it wings of angels pure + That touch along the sky? +And do they come that we may see + How fair is all on high? + +"Or, mother, on that shining arch + Do spirits rise above? +And on that bended bow ascend + Where all is light and love? + +"How beautiful must be that road! + Why should we call those back, +Who travel to the better land + On such a sunny track? + +"Why did you weep when brother died? + Did you not know that he +On that delightful path must tread, + Ere he in heaven could be?" + +"My dearest child, we cannot know, + Or trace the spirit's flight, +For sin and sorrow draw their veil + Across our mortal sight. + +"If--as the rainbow takes its hues + Of beauty from the sun-- +We strive to live like Christ our Lord, + The meek and holy One,-- + +"Then shall we dwell in Heaven's clear day, + Which knows nor night nor moon, +For, ever, from the Father's throne + Beams high and cloudless noon." + +[Illustration] + + + + + + +A SONG FOR MAY MORNING. + + +[Illustration] + +Awake! awake! the dusky night + Is fading from the sky; +Awake! and with the early light + To pleasant fields we'll hie. +Come with me, and I will show +Where the fragrant wild-flowers grow; +We will weave a garland gay +For our smiling Queen of May. + +The sun peeps up behind the hills, + And hark! the morning song +Of little birds the fresh air fills, + As now we skip along. +By the brook-side cold and wet, +Blooms the pale, white violet; +There's the purple blossom, too, +Nodding with its weight of dew. + +The gentle wind just lifts the head + Of many a columbine; +And, taken from their rocky bed, + They in our wreaths shall twine. +Saxifrage, so small and sweet, +Grows in plenty at our feet; +From the grass we gather up, +Golden bright, the buttercup. + +Now for the trailing evergreen, + That in the woodland springs, +And we will crown our May-day queen + With buds this fair month brings. +Merriest of all the year +Is the day we welcome here; +We will sing and dance away, +In our glee, this long May-day. + +[Illustration] + + + + +THE CHILD AND THE FLOWER-ELF. + + +[Illustration: Letter I.] + +"I was walking, dearest mother, + This morning, by the brook, +And tired at last I rested me + Within a shady nook. + +"There all was still and lonely, + And suddenly I heard +A little voice,--a sweeter one + Than note of any bird. + +"I looked above, around me, + I saw not whence it came; +And yet that tone of music + Was calling me by name. + +"The violet beside me + Bloomed with its purple cup, +And a tiny face, so lovely, + Amidst its leaves peeped up. + +"Again the silver music,-- + The voice I loved to hear,-- +Upon its sweet breath floated, + And bade me not to fear. + +"'I am the elf,' it whispered, + 'Who in the violet dwells, +And every blossom hides one + Within its fragrant cells. + +"'If you will list our teaching, + And catch our faintest tone, +Your heart will be as spotless, + As loving as our own.' + +"And then, as I was gazing, + It vanished from my sight; +Once more the violet nodded, + And sought the sunshine bright." + +"My darling child, the elfins + That live within the flowers +Sweet sounds are ever breathing, + To glad this world of ours. + +"Well may we weep and sorrow, + If they are silent all; +Then are our souls too sinful + To heed their spirit call. + +"The pure in heart alone can hear + Those precious words and low; +And by their lessons purer yet + Throughout their lives shall grow." + +[Illustration] + + + + + + +THE FOUR GIFTS. + + +[Illustration: Letter A.] + +A new-born babe was sleeping + Within its cradle fair, +And angel guards were keeping + Its peaceful slumbers there. + +Gone was the age of fairies, + And of the elfins wild, +Who, hovering o'er the infant's couch, + Were wont to bless the child. + +But in a distant city, + Fays that still glad the earth, +Four gentle little children, + Hailed with delight his birth. + +Out spake the eldest sister, + "O, let us fairies play, +And give to our young brother + Some precious gift to-day. + +"Sit down around the fireside, + And I my gift will tell." +And the little children sat them down + The fancy pleased them well. + +Again thus spake the eldest, + "I 'll give him _beauty_ rare; +His eyes shall be as diamonds bright, + His brow like marble fair. + +"He shall have golden ringlets, + His cheeks shall mock the rose; +And he shall be the loveliest + Where'er his light form goes." + +The next replied, "Oh! sister, + Not such a gift is mine; +For beauty's charms, though lovely, + Must perish and decline. + +"I'll give him _wit_ and _talents_; + In manhood he shall stand +Among the gifted and the wise, + That bless our native land." + +"I'll give him _sweet good-temper_," + Said the third loving child; +"He shall make glad our happy home + By actions kind and mild." + +The youngest raised her wondering eyes, + And said, in accents low, +"I thought the gift I chose would be + The first that you 'd bestow. + +"I'll give our little brother + _Obedience_ to-day, +And he shall mind, with cheerfulness, + All that our parents say." + +Oh! blessed is the childish heart, + In life's first opening dawn, +For all its high and holy thoughts + From heavenly founts are drawn. + +May our most valued blessings be + Obedience and love! +Our hearts, like that sweet sister's, full + Of teachings from above! + +[Illustration] + + + + +THE TWO LULLABIES. + + "Once songs as lullabies to thee I sung, + To sleep hath sung thee now an angel's tongue." + + _From the German of Ruckert_. + + +[Illustration: Letter A.] + +A lovely babe was lying + Upon its mother's breast; +And she, with soft, low music. + Was hushing it to rest. + +The song was sweet and gentle, + And loving in its tone; +And in its touching tenderness + A mother's love was shown. + +And still it floated onward, + With melody so deep, +Till closed the dark-fringed eyelids, + The baby was asleep. + +And still beside his cradle + She sang the same low hymn, +Till he smiled, as he was sleeping, + At angel fancies dim. + +Years passed.--The helpless infant + Was now a happy boy; +And often rang his laughter, + In notes of heartfelt joy. + +Upon his mother's bosom + I saw the child again; +And his little head was drooping + In weakness and in pain. + +Back from his marble forehead + The hair streamed, golden bright; +But yet his dark eye sparkled + With more than mortal light. + +And suddenly he whispered, + "What music sweet I hear! +'Tis not the song you used to sing + At night, O mother dear! + +"But sweeter far, and softer, + Than notes you ever sung; +It is as if a silver bell + Its pleasant chimings rung. + +"It tells of rest, dear mother, + Of slumber calm and deep; +And I am worn and weary, + And fain 'would sink to sleep. + +"Darkness is closing round me-- + You're fading from my sight-- +I hear it still!--dear mother, + Kiss me once more--good-night!" + +He slept; but angel voices + Had sung his lullaby; +And sweet shall be his waking + In our Father's home on high! + +[Illustration] + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Cousin Hatty's Hymns and Twilight +Stories, by Wm. Crosby And H.P. Nichols + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 12007 *** |