Little P( s for Little Children mmmm , ' (^-, LIBRARY OF CONGRESS, fflptjt. Sojnpigiji Ifo, Shelf._.CtC<5 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. LITTLE POEMS LITTLE CHILDREN SUITABLE FOR MEMORIZING AND FOR RECITATION AT SCHOOL AND AT HOME COMPILED/BY VALERIA J. CAMPBELL J3 m, - CHICAGO THE INTERSTATE PUBLISHING COMPANY Boston: 30 Franklin Street Vj ers. Who is it walks near her in country or town, To see that she always looks modestly down ? Snap-dragon. Of whom is she thinking, both morn, noon, and night, When the dignified snap-dragon 's out of her sight? S\\eet-wi7/iam. And what does he whisper, whenever they part, As he looks in her eyes, with his hand on his heart ? Forget-?ne-?wt. LITTLE POEMS FOR LITTLE CHILDREN. 1 69 What preacher will marry them some happy day, When my lady 's of age and has her own way ? Jack-in-the-p ulpit. Now, tell me what wish we will make for them, please, That their lives may abound in contentment and ease ? Everlasting. lone L. Jones. SOW IN FAITH. SOW the good seed another after thee Shall reap. Hast thou not garnered many fruits Of other's sowing, whom thou knowest not ? With malice toward none, with charity for all. Lincoln. Time to me this truth has taught ('T is a treasure worth revealing), More offend from want of thought Than from want of feeling. Charles Swain. Envy wounds herself in aiming at others. 170 LITTLE POEMS FOR LITTLE CHILDREN. DAISY NURSES. THE daisies white are nursery-maids, With frills upon their caps ; And daisy-buds are little babes They tend upon their laps. Sing " Heigh-ho ! " while the wind sweeps low Both nurses and babies are nodding just so. The daisy babies never cry, The nurses never scold ; They never crush the dainty frills About their cheeks of gold, But prim and white, in gay sunlight, They 're nid-nid nodding ! oh, pretty sight ! The daisies love the golden sun Up in the clear blue sky ; He gazes kindly down at them, And winks his jolly eye, While soft and slow, all in a row, Both nurses and babies are nodding just so. Treasure- Trove. THE LITTLE FLOWER. GOD made a little flower And painted it all blue, And down amongst the clover It grew and grew and grew. LITTLE POEMS FOR LITTLE CHILDREN. I/I Each day it grew and brightened, And looked so pretty there, It seemed a sin to pluck it — A flower so bright and fair. At last it drooped and withered ; It looked no longer gay ; It once bloomed out so beauteous, But now it passed away. Ah ! we too soon must wither, We too must pass away. Although we 're bright and happy, We cannot always stay. Then, let us work each moment, And do some good each day, So that we '11 be remembered When we have passed away. Luther Tidbits. VIOLETS. SWEET little violets, hid from the cold, Put on your mantles of purple and gold ! Daffodils ! daffodils ! say, do you hear ? Summer is coming ! and spring-time is here ! E. P. Miller. — « — Charm always strikes the sight ; but merit wins the soul. 172 LITTLE POEMS FOR LITTLE CHILDREN. BUTTERCUP. THEY call me little Buttercup, And I can tell you why ; — I never played in " Pinafore " ; I 'm only three feet high ; — My papa on the railroad works From morn till sunset glow, And we carry him his dinner — Carlo and I, you know. And this is how it happened, One sunny summer day : Mamma handed me the basket, And I hastened on my way, But just as I had clambered The mossy meadow bars I saw a field all sprinkled With a shower of golden stars. Straightway I dropped my basket, And, busy as a bee, I made a wreath for Carlo, And another one for me, While Papa, growing weary At his lass's long delay, Thought he would come across the fields And meet her on the way. With Carlo close beside me, A faithful watch to keep, LITTLE POEMS FOR LITTLE CHILDREN. 1 73 There, all among the Buttercups, He found me fast asleep, While the west wind through the flowers Whispered soft a lullaby ; Since then they 've called me Buttercup, And that 's the reason why. THE WATER LILY. EVENING. BY day a flower, by night a bud, Her pure soul rocked in dreamy calms, The lily slept upon the flood Her nun-like sleep with folded palms. MORNING. Last evening's bud laughs on the flood, A perfect flower of purest white ; And life is but a folded bud That still awaits the morning light. Trowbridge. Though the mills of God grind slowly, yet they grind exceeding small ; Though with patience He stands waiting, with exact- ness grinds He all. Longfellow. Good examples are very convincing teachers. 174 LITTLE POEMS FOR LITTLE CHILDREN. WAITING TO GROW. LITTLE white snow-drops, just waking up, Violet, daisy, and sweet buttercup ! Think of the flowers that are under the snow, Waiting to grow ! And think what hosts of queer little seeds, Of flowers and mosses, of ferns and of weeds, Are under the leaves and under the snow, Waiting to grow I Think of the roots getting ready to sprout, Reaching their slender, brown fingers about Under the ice and the leaves and the snow, Waiting to grow ! Only a month, or a few weeks more, Will they have to wait behind that door, Listen and watch and wait below, Waiting to grow ! Nothing so small, and hidden so well, That God will not find it, and presently tell His sun where to shine and his rain where to go, Helping them grow ! Justice should ever be tempered with mercy LITTLE POEMS FOR LITTLE CHILDREN. 1 75 WILLOW AND ALDER. SEE ! pretty Pussy Willow, In ermine mantle clad, Is strolling by the river To make the Alders glad, For all her yellow tresses In sunlight gleam with gold ; The breezes gently toss them In many a lustrous fold. These are my several darlings, — This ever wedded pair ; My lad with silken raiment, His lass with golden hair ; With merry words I greet them, While bluebirds sing amain, — " The sweet south-wind is blowing, And spring has come again." W. W. Bailey. OLD OAK A LITTLE of thy steadfastness, Rounded with leafy gracefulness, Old oak, give me — That the world's blast may round me blow, And I yield gently to and fro, While my stout-hearted trunk, below, And firm-set roots unshaken be. Lowell. I76 LITTLE POEMS FOR LITTLE CHILDREN. PUSSY WILLOW. OH, you pussy willow ! Pretty little thing, Coming with the sunshine of the early spring ! Tell me, tell me, pussy, for I want to know, Where it is you come from, how it is you grow ! Now, my little girlie, if you '11 look at me And my little sisters, I am sure you '11 see Tiny, tiny houses out of which we peep When we first are waking from our winter's sleep. This is where we come from. How it is we grow, I will try, my girlie, now to let you know ; As the days grow milder, out we put our heads, And we lightly move us in our little beds — Find the world so lovely, as we look about, That we each day move a little farther out ; And when warmer breezes of the spring-time blow, Then we little pussies all to catkins grow. Get up, little sister ; the morning is bright, The birds are all singing to welcome the light, The buds are all opening. The dew 's on the flower; If you shake but a branch, see ! there falls quite a shower. Look before you leap. LITTLE POEMS FOR LITTLE CHILDREN. 1 77 THE WILLOW. O WILLOW, why forever weep, As one who mourns an endless wrong ? What hidden woe can lie so deep ? What utter grief can last so long ? Mourn on forever, unconsoled, And keep your secret, faithful tree ; No heart in all the world can hold A sweeter grace than constancy. Elizabeth A. Allen. A ROSEBUD. DEAR little " rosebud red " am I And I shall be a rose by and by ; Then, as I 'm named for this sweet flower ; May I grow lovelier every hour. To thine own self be true ; And it must follow, as the night the day, Thou canst not then be false to any man. Shakespeare. — • Labor, though at first inflicted as a curse, seems to be the gentlest of all punishments, and is fruitful of a thousand blessings. I78 LITTLE POEMS FOR LITTLE CHILDREN. THE OAK. A GLORIOUS tree is the old gray oak ; He has stood for a thousand years — Has stood and frowned On the trees around, Like a king among his peers ; As around their king they stand, so now, When the flowers their pale leaves fold, The tall trees round him stand, arrayed In their robes of purple and gold. He has stood like a tower Through sun and shower, And dared the winds to battle ; He has heard the hail, As from plates of mail, From his own limbs shaken, rattle ; He has tossed them about, and shorn the tops (When the storm has roused his might) Of the forest trees, as a strong man doth The heads of his foes in fight. Beautiful faces are they that wear The light of a pleasant spirit there, — It matters little if dark or fair. Beautiful hands are they that do Deeds that are noble, good, and true, Busy with them the long day through. LITTLE POEMS FOR LITTLE CHILDREN. 1 79 Beautiful feet are they that go Swiftly to lighten another's woe, Through summer's heat or winter's snow. Beautiful children, if rich or poor, They walk the pathways, sweet and pure, That lead to the mansion strong and sure. THE BREATH O' LIFE. OUR lungs are formed of curious cells, And tubes to draw in air, And if we breathe quite deep and full, And take our needful share, 'T will keep our blood so red and pure, Our health so firm and true, We scarce shall know what suffering means, But joyous feel and new. But if we wear our clothing tight, The little cells will close, And then they cannot do their work, And thus our health we lose ; — Or if we breathe the air impure, 'T will give us tainted blood, While plenty, pure, sun-ripened air Will make us glad and good. Mrs. E. P. Miller. 180 LITTLE POEMS FOR LITTLE CHILDREN. PARTS OF THE BODY. ALL this is my body, From my head to my toes Made of skin, bone, and muscle, As every one knows. At the top is my head, With its covering of hair, Which we all will remember To brush with great care. Here in front is my face, Which must always look bright, For a frown or a pout Would disfigure it quite. It has forehead and temples, Two bright eyes and a nose, Brows, eyelids, and lashes, You 'd not forget those ! My nose has a bridge, And two nostrils besides, While here are my ears, Which are placed at the sides. Right and left are my cheeks, With a dimple let in ; See my bright smiling mouth, And my wee little chin. LITTLE POEMS FOR LITTLE CHILDREN. iSl And my mouth has two lips. As you very well know, With a little pink tongue, — Pearly teeth in a row. All I hear and I see, With my ears and my eyes, Will help me, each day, To grow learned and wise. My mouth and my nose Must do their work as well ; For how without these Could I talk, eat, or smell. II. To the right, to the left, Now up and now down, My neck bends my head, Or lets it turn round. The largest part here Is the trunk, as you see, Which always reminds me I am built like a tree. For here are the limbs, Both upper and lower, Right and left of each kind ; I would hardly need more. 1 82 LITTLE POEMS FOR LITTLE CHILDREN. Then, the fingers and toes, Spreading out like the twigs ; I have ten of each kind, Though they 're not very big. In the trunk, at the left, Hear my heart pit, pit, pat ; If I 'm waking or sleeping, It always does that. Watch my lungs ! How they swell When I breathe long and deep ; My chest rises and falls Even when I 'm asleep. III. Of this wonderful body We all can tell My shoulders, my elbows, My wrist-joints, as well, — These help me to move And to bend as I please ; Whatever I wish I can do with ease. lust look at my fingers! I can move one and all ; How bad it would be Were I stiff like a doll ! LITTLE POEMS FOR LITTLE CHILDREN. 1 83 Back to back, palm to palm My hands I can lay ; They are useful to me In my work, in my play, IV. Three parts has each limb, Arm, forearm, and hand; Also, thigh, leg, and foot, — On' the latter I stand. Now the elbow unites Arm and forearm, you see, While the thigh and the leg Are joined by the knee. Just between/00/ and leg The aTZ&te is found ; Both this and the wrist Are slender and round. I must not forget One mere fact to tell : Besides ankle and knee, I have hip-joints as well. My foot has an instep, A broad-spreading sole; While five toes and a heel Just make up the whole. I84 LITTLE POEMS FOR LITTLE CHILDREN. For standing, for walking, For running with speed, My feet do my bidding And go where I need. Much more might I tell Of this body of mine, If I only might take A little more time. But let me remember, God meant me to make A strong man or woman, Should I proper care take. w THE HEART AND THE BLOOD. HAT beating is this that I feel in my breast? A wonderful engine that never must rest. But what is it doing, all night and all day ? Why, sending your life-blood along on its way. And why must our blood always be on the go ? Your flesh and your bones must be nourished, you know. How can the blood travel to head, hands, and feet ? Three lines of canals make its journey complete. Which way does it go, and how does it start ? An artery takes it, left side of the heart. LITTLE POEMS FOR LITTLE CHILDREN. 1 85 How far does it take it, and where does it change ? All over the body the arteries range. Oh ! — what is the use, then, of more than one line ? The arteries end in small vessels so fine. But how does the blood ever find its way back ? The veins take it then, so it can't lose its track. And, when it gets back, does the heart let it in ? Yes, on the right side, where its walls are quite thin. You said that it started round on the left side ? Before it gets there, we must have it re-dyed. Why ? — Can the blood really get faded and pale ? Not that ; it is dark-colored, worn-out, and stale. Then, how can the heart ever make it bright red ? The heart can't do that ; but the lungs must, instead. Well, then is the work of the heart at an end ? No, the blood to the lungs the heart now must send. And what is done to it when once it gets there ? In the lungs' little cells it takes in the fresh air. And when that is over? Then back to the heart, And out the left side again With a fresh start ! 1 86 LITTLE POEMS FOR LITTLE CHILDREN. TEN TRUE FRIENDS. TEN true friends you have Who, five in a row, Upon either side of you, Go where you go. Suppose you are sleepy, They help you to bed ; Suppose you are hungry They take care you are fed. They wake up your dolly And put on her clothes, And trundle her carriage Wherever she goes. They buckle your skate-straps, And haul at your sled ; Are in summer quite white And in winter quite red. And these ten tiny fellows, They serve you with ease ; And they ask nothing from you, But work hard to please. Now, with ten willing servants So trusty and true, Pray, who would be lazy Or idle — would you ? LITTLE POEMS FOR LITTLE CHILDREN. 1 87 Would you find out the name Of this kind little band ? Then count up the fingers On each little hand. TEMPERANCE. SOME people laugh and wonder What little boys can do To help this temperance thunder Roll all the big world through ; I 'd have them look behind them When they were small, and then I 'd just like to remind them That little boys make men ! The bud becomes a flower, The acorn grows a tree, The minutes make the hour, — 'T is just the same with me. I 'm small, but I 'm growing As quickly as I can : And a temp'rance boy like me is bound To make a temp'rance man. Be not afraid of enthusiasm ; you need it ; you can do nothing effectually without it. Guizot. ♦— Despatch is the soul of business. Chesterfield. 1 88 LITTLE POEMS FOR LITTLE CHILDREN. BOXES IN THE HUMAN BODY. HOW many bones in the human head ? Eight, my child, as I 've often said. How many bones in the human face ? Eight, my child, when they 're all in place. How many bones in the human spine ? Twenty-four, like a climbing vine. How many bones in the human chest ? Twenty-four ribs and two of the rest. How many bones the shoulder bind ? One before and one behind. How many bones in the human arm ? In each arm one, two in each forearm. How many bones in the human wrist ? Eight, my child, if none are missed. How many bones in the palm of the hand ? Five in each, with many a band. How many bones in the fingers ten ? Three in each, and by joints they bend. How many bones in the human hip ? One in each, like a dish they dip. How many bones in the human thigh ? One in each, and deep they lie. How many bones in the human knees ? One in each, the knee-pan, please. How many bones in the leg from the knee ? Two in each, you can plainly see. How many bones in the ankle strong ? Seven in each, but none are long. LITTLE POEMS FOR LITTLE CHILDREN. 1 89 How many bones in the middle of the foot ? Five in each as the palms were put. How many bones in the toes half a score ? Twenty-eight, and there are no more. And now all together these many bones fix, And they form in the body two hundred and six. ALL FOR TEMPERANCE. COME, boys and girls, let 's each of us now Choose the trade we will have when we 're women and men. We are all temperance soldiers, So, let what will come, Our trade sha'n't encourage the traffic in rum. Tom Bent, you 're the oldest, We '11 begin where you stand, And I '11 speak after Joseph, Standing here at this hand. FIRST BOY. I '11 be a farmer ; but you never shall heat That Tom Bent's hops ever make lager-beer, Or that Tom Bent's apples make cider to drink. For. vinegar and cooking, he '11 have plenty, I think. And I '11 raise such fine crops to make men grow strong ; I shall just sing and whistle the summer day long. SECOND BOY. I'll be a lawyer, but I never will lend My counsel to bad men, a bad cause to defend ; 190 LITTLE POEMS FOR LITTLE CHILDREN. And I '11 work without fees if I ever can aid The cold-water army to put down the rum trade. THIRD BOY. I '11 be a sailor, then captain some day, And sail o'er the ocean to lands far away. But old Alcohol never shall step on my deck ; For where'er he is harbored, there 's sure to be wreck. FIRST GIRL. I '11 be a dressmaker and milliner too, My dresses and bonnets will be wonders to view, And I '11 do what /can that they never shall hide The sorrowful heart of a rum-drinker's bride. SECOND GIRL. I '11 be a school-teacher, and shall do what I can To make of each lad a good temperance man. And I '11 teach all my girls to regard with a frown Both tobacco and rum, and so put them down. THIRD GIRL. I '11 be a missionary, when I 've grown good and wise, And teach the dark pagans the way to the skies ; I shall tell them the path that by drunkards is trod Leads far, far away from our Father and God. FOURTH GIRL. I '11 be a housekeeper, to broil, bake, and stew, And take care of my house as our mothers do. I '11 look after my household, and ever despise Putting wine on the table or brandy in pies. LITTLE POEMS FOR LITTLE CHILDREN. I9I FOURTH BOY. / 7/ be a doctor ! and when folks are ill, I '11 be ready to cure them with powder or pill, But I ne'er will prescribe whiskey, brandy, or gin To awaken old tastes, or the new to begin. FIFTH BOY. / 7/ be a merchant, and keep a big store, With large piles of goods and clerks by the score, And I '11 pay better wages than other men do, If they '11 all be teetotalers, tried men and true. JOSEPH. I mean to fill an editor's station For his words reach men's ears all over the nation. I '11 get good for myself, and do good to others, And try to help all as though they were brothers ; No matter what fashionable wine-bibbers say, I '11 teach that total abstinence is the only safe way. A member of Congress, I 'm intending to be, Perhaps me Vice-President you one day will see ! And if / help to make laws for this nation of nations, Neither sailors nor soldiers will get rum with their rations, And I '11 do what I can to lay by on the shelves All the members who drink and make fools of them- selves. ALL. True and earnest boys and girls, Who will work with a will, Can take a long step Toward removing this ill. 192 LITTLE POEMS FOR LITTLE CHILDREN. NO DRUNKARDS THERE. THERE is a beautiful land, we are told, With rivers of silver and streets of gold ; Bright are the beings whose shining feet Wander along each quiet street ; Sweet is the music that fills the air, — No drunkards are there. No garrets are there where the weary wait, Where the room is cold and the hours are late ; No pale-faced wife, with looks of fear, Listens for steps she dreads to hear ; The hearts are free from pain and care, — No drink is sold there. All the long day, in that beautiful land, The clear waters ripple o'er beds of sand, And down on the edge of the water's brink Those white-robed beings wander, nor shrink, Nor fear the power of the tempter's snare, For no wine is there. Father, look down from Thy throne, I pray ! Hasten, oh ! hasten the glorious day, Help us to work as a temperance band To drive the demon away from the land; Teach us to say we will dry every tear Which drink makes flow here. Be sure you 're right, then go ahead. LITTLE POEMS FOR LITTLE CHILDREN. 1 93 WHAT RUM WILL DO. RUM will scorch and sear the brain, Rum will mad the heart with pain, Rum will bloat the flesh with fire And eternal thirst inspire Rum will clothe with rags your back, Make you walk a crooked track, Change your meat to naked bones, And to wrath your gentle tones. Rum will rob the head of sense, Rum will rob the purse of pence, Rum will rob the mouth of food, And the soul of heavenly good. Rum the jails with men will fill, And the dungeon's gloomy cell ; It rouses passion's deadly hate, And pours its curses o'er the state. Rum the Christian's love will cool, Make him break the golden rule, Bind his soul to error's bands, And to evil turn his hands. Improve each moment as it flies. 194 LITTLE POEMS FOR LITTLE CHILDREN. GLASS NUMBER ONE. GLASS number one, only in fun ; Glass number two, other boys do ; Glass number three, it won't hurt me ; Glass number four, only one more ; Glass number five, before a drive ; Glass number six, brain in a mix. Glass number seven, stars up in heaven ; Glass number eight, stars in his pate. Glass number nine, whiskey, not wine ; Glass number ten ! — drinking again? Glass number twenty; not yet a plenty? Drinking with boys, drowning his joys ; Drinking with men, just now and then. Wasting his life, killing his wife, Losing respect, manhood all wrecked, Losing his friends, — thus it all ends. Glass number one, taken in fun, Ruined his life, brought on strife, Blighted his youth, sullied his truth, In a few years brought many tears ; Gave only pain, stole all his gain, Made him at last friendless, outcast. Light-hearted boy, somebody's joy, Do not begin early in sin ; Grow up a man brave as you can ; Taste not in fun glass number one. Better face a danger than be ever in fear. LITTLE POEMS FOR LITTLE CHILDREN. I95 SAY NO, DARE to say " no " when you 're tempted to drink. Pause for a moment, my brave boy, and think ; Think of the wrecks upon life's ocean tossed, For answering " yes " without counting the cost, Think of the mother who bore you in pain, Think of the tears that will fall like rain, Think of the heart and how cruel the blow, Think of her love, and at once answer " no." Think of the hopes that are drowned in the bowl, Think of the danger to body and soul. Think of sad lives once as pure as the snow ; Look at them now, and at once answer " no." Think of a manhood with rum-tainted breath, Think of its end and the terrible death. Think of the homes that now shadowed with woe Might have been heaven had the answer been " no." Think of lone graves both unwept and unknown Hiding fond hopes that were fair as your own. Think of proud forms, now forever laid low, That still might be here had they learned to say " no." Think of the demon that lurks in the bowl, Driving to ruin both body and soul. Think of all this as life's journey you go, And when you 're assailed by the tempter, say " no." Take care of the minutes, and the hours will take care of themselves. I96 LITTLE POEMS FOR LITTLE CHILDREN. LITTLE BY LITTLE. LITTLE by little," said a thoughtful boy, Moment by moment, I '11 well employ. Learning a little every day, And not misspending my time in play ; And still this rule in my mind shall dwell, Whatever I do, I will do it well. Little by little I '11 learn to know The treasured wisdom of long ago, And one of these days perhaps will see That the world will be the better for me. TEMPERANCE BOOTS. YOU 'D better not call me Captain Boots, I 've grown too big for that ; It is time that I played with girls no more, And I think that I '11 drop the cat. Old hen, if you snap your spurs at me, You will have to stand a fight with three — A couple of boots and a man, do you see ? Ho ! pretty good boots ! Ho ! high-top boots No gentleman's boots for me. Stand out of the way, I 'm going to walk, I '11 tread on somebody soon ; Oh ! how they do squeak ! Yes, how they talk ! I think it is good as a tune. LITTLE POEMS FOR LITTLE CHILDREN. I97 They tie themselves without any strings, They match like a pair of angel's wings, New leather ! I hope you smell the things. I wish it was Sunday, to go to church ; I wish it was Monday, to play ; I wish it was Tuesday, to ride my horse ; I wish it was every day ; I will wear them to bed, for Uncle Jim Might fill them with water up to the brim, As once I filled his boots for him. They 're temperance boots, for I wore them .first To the " Band of Hope," last night, And they squeaked so loud that the chairman said That he thought they must be tight, But they 're temperance boots and would just as soon Think of walking straight up to the moon As of walking into a drink-saloon ; Ho ! pretty, good boots ! Ho ! high-top boots ! Ho ! teetotal boots for me. Blessed is he who has found his work ; let him ask no other blessedness. Thomas Carlyle. — ♦— We learn to do by doing. Be honest and true. I98' LITTLE POEMS FOR LITTLE CHILDREN. HOW TO PREVENT IT. IF you would not be a drunkard, You must not drink a drop ; For if you never should begin, You '11 never have to stop. The taste of drink, good people say, Is hard in driving out ; Then, friends, in letting in that taste, Why, what are you about ? Out of your house to keep a thief You shut your door and lock it, And hang the key upon a nail Or put it in your pocket. So, lest King Rum within you should His horrid rule begin, sir, Just shut your lips and lock them tight, And say, " You can't come in, sir." Life's race well run, Life's work well done, Life's crown well won, Now comes rest. President Garfield's Epitaph. Speak the truth. LITTLE POEMS FOR LITTLE CHILDREN. 1 99 MAXIMS AND PROVERBS. T ET not the sun go down upon your wrath. No reputation is permanent without truth. Quick promisers are often slow performers. Zeno, of all virtues, made choice of silence. Delays have dangerous ends. Economy is a good income. Give talebearers no credit. Least said, soonest mended. Order is heaven's first law. Choose an author as you choose a friend. Drive your business, let not that drive you. Deeds are the fruits, words are the leaves. Every duty has its proper place and season. Form plans with care, to execute with vigor. Kind hearts are more than crowns or robes. A friend in need is a friend indeed. A guilty conscience needs no accuser. A clear conscience fears no accusation. A contented mind is a continual feast. A fault confessed is half redressed. Resist temptation till you conquer it. 200 LITTLE POEMS FOR LITTLE CHILDREN. Be more ready to forgive than to return an injury. Catch not at the shadow and lose the substance. Deliberate slowly, execute promptly. If we subdue not our passions, they will subdue us. Truth is the highest thing a man may keep. A willing mind makes a light foot. It is better to do well than to say well. It costs more to revenge injuries than to bear them. Every day and all the day Little children must obey. Cut your coat according to your cloth. The groves were God's first temples. Night brings out stars, as sorrow shows us truth. Many value character less than reputation. On their own merits sensible men are silent. Politeness is the expression of social virtues. All that glitters is not gold. Honesty is the best policy. Birds of a feather flock together. The path of duty is the path of safety. If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. All is well that ends well. Not how much, but how well. A place for everything, and everything in its place. LITTLE POEMS FOR LITTLE CHILDREN. 201 A word once uttered can never be recalled. The way to be truly honored is to be truly good. Open rebuke is better than secret hatred. An idle youth — a needy age. To err is human ; to forgive, divine. A bad workman quarrels with his tools. A burden which one chooses is not felt. An ounce of preventive is worth a pound of cure. A drowning man will catch at a straw. A rolling stone gathers no moss. A stitch in time saves nine. Every great and commanding movement in the annals of the world is the triumph of enthusiasm. — Emerson. Happiness is not perfected until it is shared. A fool can cast a stone into a well, which many wise men cannot get out. — Spanish Proverb. Attempt the end, and never stand to doubt ; Nothing so hard but search will find it out. — Herrick. The effect of nature alone is purifying ; and its thousand evidences of wisdom are too eloquent of their maker, not to act as a continual lesson. — N.P. Willis. The truly great man is he who does not lose his child-heart. — Mencius. He that is good at making excuses is seldom good for anything else. — Franklin. 202 LITTLE POEMS FOR LITTLE CHILDREN. Education is a better safeguard of liberty than a standing army. — Edward Everett. A good deed is never lost ; he who sows courtesy reaps friendship, and he who plants kindness reaps love. Keep your head and heart full of good thoughts, and bad ones will find no room. The cup that is full will hold no more. He who waits to do a great deal of good at once will never do anything. — Samuel Jo h?is on. What we learn in our youth grows up with us, and in time becomes a part of the mind itself. He that avoideth not small faults, by little and little f alleth into greater. — Thomas a Kempis. Our characters cannot be essentially injured except by our own acts. Labor to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire called conscience. — Washington. Charity — gently to hear, kindly to judge. — Shak- speare. Habit, if not resisted, soon becomes necessity. Experience is the best schoolmaster, but the school- fees are heavy. — Coleridge. The diminutive chains of habit are seldom heavy enough to be felt till they are too strong to be broken. — Samuel Johnson. One of the sublimest things in this world is plain truth. — Coleridge. LITTLE POEMS FOR LITTLE CHILDREN. 203 Disappointments and distress are often blessings in disguise. Education is the cheap defence of nations. — Ed- mund Burke. One pound of learning requires ten pounds of com- mon-sense to apply it. 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