The frogs, from out the rushes and reeds,
Into the water went splashing;
And the dragon-fly, with his body of green,
Through the flags went flashing, flashing.

The dormouse put out her head and said,
"Really the sun shines brighter;"

But the butterfly answered, "Not yet, not yet,"
And folded his wings up tighter.

But the thrush and the blackbird began to sing

Ever sweeter and sweeter,

And the grasshopper chirped, and hopped and skipped Ever fleeter and fleeter.

The gnats and the chafers began to buzz,

And the swallows began to chatter;

"We have come from abroad with the summer at last. How lazy you are! What's the matter?"

Then the dormouse said, "Summer's really here,

Since the swallows are homeward coming;

And the butterfly spread out his wings, and the bee Went louder and louder humming.

And suddenly brighter the sun shone out,
And the clouds away went sailing,

And the sheep nibbled peacefully at the grass,
And the cow looked over the paling.

Yes, summer had come, and the cuckoo sang
His song through woodland and hollow;
“The summer is come; if you don't believe me,
You have only to ask the swallow."

- Selected.

MERRY SUNSHINE.

OOD-MORNING, Merry Sunshine,

Go

Ꮐ How did you wake so soon?

You've scared the little stars away

And shined away the moon.
I saw you go to sleep last night
Before I ceased my playing,

How did you get way over there?
And where have you been staying?

I never go to sleep, dear child,
I just go round to see
My little children of the east,
Who rise and watch for me.

I waken all the birds and bees

And flowers on my way,

And now come back to see the child

Who stayed out late at play.

- Selected.

I

SUMMER TIME.

LOVE the cheerful summer time,
With all its birds and flowers,

Its shining garments green and smooth,
Its cool, refreshing showers.

I love to hear the little birds

That carol on the trees;

I love the gentle murmuring stream;
I love the evening breeze.

I love the bright and glorious sun
That gives us light and heat;
I love the pearly drops of dew
That sparkle 'neath my feet.

I love to hear the busy hum
Of honey-making bee,

And learn a lesson, hard to learn,
Of patient industry.

I love to see the playful lambs,
So innocent and gay;

I love the faithful, watchful dog
Who guards them night and day.

I love to think of Him who made
These pleasant things for me;

Who gave me life and health and strength,
And eyes that I might see.

I love the holy Sabbath-day,
So peaceful, calm, and still;
And oh, I love to go to church,
To learn my Maker's will.

A

THE SUNBEAM.

LITTLE sunbeam in the sky
Said to itself one day :

"I'm very small, but why should I
Do nothing else but play?

I'll

go down to the earth and see If there is any use for me."

- Selected.

The violet beds were wet with dew,
Which filled each heavy cup;
The little sunbeam darted through,
And raised their blue heads up;
They smiled to see it, and they lent
The morning's breeze their sweetest cent.

A mother, 'neath a shady tree,

Had left her babe asleep;

It woke and cried, but when it spied
The little sunbeam peep

So slyly in, with glance so bright,
It laughed and chuckled with delight.

On, on it went, it might not stay:
Now through a window small
It poured its glad but tiny ray,
And danced upon the wall.

A pale young face looked up to meet
The sunbeam she had watched to greet.

And now away beyond the sea
The merry sunbeam went;
A ship was on the waters free,
From home and country sent,

But, sparkling in the sunbeam's play,
The blue waves curled around her way.

A voyager stood and watched them there, With heart of bitter pain;

She gazed, and half forgot her care,

And hope came back again.

She said, "The waves are full of glee,

Then yet there may be joy for me!"

And so it traveled to and fro,

And frisked and danced about;
And not a door was shut, I know,
To keep the sunbeam out.

But ever, as it touched the earth,
It woke up happiness and mirth.

I may not tell the history
Of all that it could do,

But I tell you this, that you may try
To be a sunbeam too;

By little smiles to soothe and cheer,
And make your presence ever dear.

- Selected