78

OLD JACK, THE DONKEY.

"Poor Jack, did they pelt him-the coward, so
sly!

I wish I'd been there, with my stick, standing by:
It does n't bleed now-'twill be well in a trice;
There, let me just wash it-now is n't that nice?"

And Jack nestled down with his soft velvet nose,
As close as he could, under Joe's ragged clothes;
And he looked at his master, as though he would

say

"I'm sure I can never your kindness repay."

Go back, cruel Thomas, go back to the wood,
And don't take the bird's nest away;

Replace on the bough the young shivering brood,
And pity and mercy obey.

80

SPARE THE NEST.

What pains the old birds must have taken to

weave

The wool, and the moss, and the hair!

You surely could never such innocence grieve,
Nor rob the industrious pair.

To seek for their young a nice morsel or two
They just round the corner have flown ;
Oh say, shall they find, thoughtless Thomas,
through you,

Their home and their little ones gone?

Then go, cruel Thomas, go back to the wood,
And spare the poor parents their pain;
Replace on the bough the young shivering brood,
And never go nesting again.

S. W. P.

I love to hear the evening breeze The willow branches shake,

The buzz that underneath the trees

The busy insects make.

22

82

PLEASANT SOUNDS.

The birds that sing themselves to sleep,

The leaves that gently fall,

The distant bleating of the sheep,-
There's music in them all.

If earthly music sounds so sweet,
What must the heavenly be,

Where harpers harp, before Thy seat,
Glory and praise to Thee!