"
"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.
Pages:
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50