And so it traveled to and fro, And frisked and danced about; But ever, as it touched the earth, I may not tell the history But I tell you this, that you may try By little smiles to soothe and cheer, -Selected. Waking up the daisies Little yellow Sunbeam, In the little chamber As she took a peep, There she saw the Lovely One Lying fast asleep. Little yellow Sunbeam Tripped into the room, Sweeping out the darkness With her golden broom. All the little shadows, Glimmering and gray, Gathered up their dusky skirts, Softly slid away. Little yellow Sunbeam, Merrily went dancing Round the baby's head. Suddenly there flashed out, To her great surprise, Other little sunbeams From the baby's eyes. Little yellow Sunbeam Said, "How can this be? Whence these little sparklers So unlike to me? Scarce I think they can be Little yellow Sunbeam FOU Shining and dancing along on their way, Resolved that their course should be blest. "Let us try," they all whispered, "some kindness to do, Not seek our own pleasuring all the day through, Then meet in the eve at the west." One sunbeam ran in at a low cottage door, And played "hide-and-seek" with a child on the floor, Till baby laughed loud in his glee, And chased with delight his strange playmate so bright, The little hands grasping in vain for the light That ever before them would flee. One crept to the couch where an invalid lay, Its bird-song and beauty and bloom; And in fancy he roamed through the scenes he loved best, Far away from the dim, darkened room. One stole to the heart of a flower that was sad, For love brings content to the lowliest lot, And one, where a little blind girl sat alone And kissed the poor eyes that had never known sight, Till angels had lifted the veil. At last, when the shadows of evening were falling, All said, "We have found that in seeking the pleasure Then softly they sank to their rest. -M. K. B. |