P R
3991
M3
M43
1870
MAIN
A MEDLEY OF RHYMES.
FOR THE CHILDREN.
WRITTEN AND TRANSLATED BY
LONDON :
JAMES NISBET & CO., 21, BSRNERS STREET. W.
v MDCCCLXX.
LONDON :
KELLY AND CO., PRINTERS,
GATE STREET, LINCOLN'S INN FIELDS. W.C.
187D
MY NIECES AND NEPHEWS,
PROM THEIR LOVING
AUNT ANNE.
1870.
CONTENTS.
THE MESSAGE 1
THE SEED AND THE FLOWER 3
PRAYER FOR A SICK CHILD 7
A CHILD'S REMONSTRANCE 9
GOD is LIGHT 11
THE SKYLARK 13
THE APPLE PIE . . 17
MINNIE TO HER DOLLY 22
THE HAPPY CHILD 25
PRAYER 27
THE BOY AND THE BIRD 29
THE SYRO-PHENICIAN WOMAN 32
THE WOOD ANEMONE . 33
Vlll CONTENTS.
PAGE
THE LORD'S PRAYER 38
CHRISTMAS HYMN 42
GRANDMOTHER'S KNITTING LESSON 44
GRANDFATHER'S DARLING 46
THE LAPWING AND THE NIGHTINGALE . . . . 47
THE BEE AND THE DOVE 49
MOTHER'S GRIEF . . 51
THE SUNBEAM . . . . . . . . .53
THE WOMEN OF WINSBERG . . . . . . 54
THE CONCEITED BOY PUNISHED 60
THE DOVES 62
THE INVITATION 65
ANGER 69
THE THUNDERSTORM 70
MEDLEY OF EHYMES,
THE blooming flower, with fragrant lip,
Whispered some words to me
The happy bird, with gladsome voice,
Warbled them from the tree.
The river, as it onward went
Its pleasant, winding way,
Sang with a smile of sweet content
That message day by day.
THE MESSAGE.
On mountains high, in valleys low,
The same small voice I heard,
And by the sea, the waves to me
Spoke out the wondrous word.
I looked upon the silent night,
And in the heavens above,
In golden letters, clear and bright,
The stars, in lines of shining light,
Repeated " God is love."
<f foforr.
CHILD.
MAMMA, I've often heard you say
That God is listening when we pray ;
And if I do indeed believe,
That what I ask I shall receive.
Why will He not, then, take away
My naughty, sinful heart. r to-day;
And make ine humble, nieek, and mild,
A quiet and obedient child?
I ask Him every day and night
For a new heart, all clean and white ;
You know I have not got it yet :
God hears my prayer can He forget ?
is 2
THE SEED AND THE FLOWER.
No, darling, God does not forget,
Although he has not answered yet ;
And if yon listen I will try
And tell you now the reason why.
I once pulled up a garden weed,
And in its place I dropped a seed ;
Because they told me God's great power
Could change that seed into a flower.
I was a little child, you know,
And thought the seed would quickly grow ;
But days and weeks passed slowly round,
And still it lay deep in the ground.
At length there came some gentle rain,
And when the sun shone forth again
I hastened to that spot alone,
Where my little seed was sown.
THE SEED AND THE FLOWER.
And there I saw the softened ground
Raised in a gently heaving mound ;
And in the middle there was seen
Two little leaves of brightest green.
And day by day, and hour by hour,
I watched, until there came a flower ;
And thought how good that God must be
Who sent such pretty flowers to me.
And now, my dear, your little prayer
Is like the seed I dropped in there ;
God gives it in your hand to sow,
And promises the seed shall grow.
And as you wait, and watch, and pray,
The seed is springing day by day ;
And God will bless it, like the flower,
Both with the sunshine and the shower.
THE SEED AND THE FLOWER.
Then, in the Resurrection bright,
You'll find a heart both pure and white ;
And evermore your song will be
" How very good was God to me ! "
rag** fcr a Sirk
LORD ! stay the fever wild ;
Be near us when we weep ;
And let some quiet sleep
Fall on our little child.
Thou carest for the bird,
Rocked safely in its nest,
It takes its peaceful rest :
Oh ! let my prayer be heard !
The very smallest flower
Receives, each day, anew
The cool, refreshing dew
From Thy sustaining power.
PRAYER FOR A SICK CHILD.
Are we not dearer far,
Father in heaven above,
Unto thy heart of love,
Than birds and blossoms are ?-
God ! I will be still ;
She is not only mine,
All that I have is thine,
Do Thou thy holy will.
I DO not care to learn the names
Of every twinkling star ;
I want to picture in my mind
What wondrous worlds they are.
How in the fields of space they hang
How noiselessly they roll
How they obey that mighty Power
Which holds them in control.
And in that sky so darkly blue,
I strive those depths to see,
Where stars are way marks for the mind
To pierce infinity.
And though the effort be in vain,
While every twinkling light,
But serves to show me with a smile,
Some greater deep or height ;
10 A CHILD'S REMONSTRANCE.
Yet not in vain do I come back
From wandering in the skies,
If from Almighty power I learn
Almighty love to prize.
For He who guides those countless stars
Throughout the pathless air,
Takes pleasure in the humblest child
That rests upon His care.
s
SAID a little child unto me
" If God lives so very far
Up above the highest heaven,
Far beyond the brightest star,
" How can He be always near me,
Caring for me night and day ?
Are you sure that God can hear me
When I lift my hands and pray ? "
And I answered, " God has spoken
Holy words that we receive ;
And He gives us many a token
To persuade us to believe.
12 GOD IS LIGHT.
" Like the sun that shines around us,
Making all things bright and fair,
By the wayside, in the chamber,
God is with us everywhere.
u Trust Him, darling, when He tells you
He is near by day and night ;
Distance cannot part you from Him,
Darkness hides not : ' God is Light !' "
PAKT I.
CHILD.
MAMMA ! look at that little bird
That's flying up so high ;
One moment it is on the earth
The next is in the sky.
Its nest lies low among the flowers,
And its little ones are there ;
Why does it leave that pretty home
To wander in the air ?
MOTHER.
My child that bird is taught by God,
Who formed its feathery wings,
To praise His name who gave it life,
So, as it flies, it sings.
14 THE SKYLARK.
And gladly doth it leave its nest,
And its little ones, I know,
Swiftly to fly, up in the sky,
Through the mists and clouds below.
And when the purer air it breathes
It rests upon its wing,
And catches in some little notes
Of what the angels sing ;
And its voice sounds out more full and free,
When back to earth it flies,
As it tries to learn the angel notes
It heard up in the skies.
Some other time I'll tell you how
Our voices should be heard,
When we strive to reach the purer air
Just like the little bird.
THE SKYLARK. 15
PART II.
MAMMA, you said you'd tell me how
To reach the purer air
I have not wings like the little bird,
So how can I get there ?
My child, your thoughts are something like
The little skylark's wings ;
And you know they very often fly
Away to foolish things.
But if you lift them up to Heaven,
And think of who lives there,
Then that is trying, like the bird,
To reach the purer air.
16 THE SKYLARK.
And Jesus Christ, who dearly loves
To hear an infant pray,
Will listen to the simplest word
That you have got to say ;
And come and whisper in your mind
About such glorious things,
Far sweeter than the sweetest notes
The happy angel sings.
But always bear in mind, my love,
When you* read or hear His word,
To try and practise what you learn,
Just like the little bird.
Now, children dear, come round me here,
And I will tell to you,
The story of an apple pie ;
And, ah ! dear me, it makes me sigh
To think the tale is true.
There lived, not very long ago,
But very far away,
Two children who, like some of you,
Had hardly anything to do
But jump about and play.
18 THE APPLE PIE.
One day Aunt Mary was to come,
They heard with great delight ;
And John, and Bessie, were to be
Allowed to stay downstairs to tea,
And welcome her that night.
Mamma, she thought an apple pie
For supper would be fit,
But, poor John and Bessie said,
" Alas ! we both shall be in bed,
And never taste a bit ! "
The pic was made, and put away
Upon a shelf with care ;
The children by the window stood,
And, oh ! it smelt so very good
As it was cooling there ;
THE AITLE TIE. 19
That Johnny said, " I really think
I will go in and see
If I can raise the top a hit.
Then we can get a taste of it ;
Come, Bessie, come with me ! "
And so they went, they got a spoon.
And turn by turn they ate
It Avas so good they ate, ah, me !
Until they only left, you see,
The pie crust and the plate !
They waited for Aunt Mary long ;
When she at last did come,
She begged Mamma would let them stay
With her to supper, for that day ;
The children both were dumb.
e 2
20 THE APPLE PIE.
Poor Johnny's cheeks got burning red,
He glanced at every one ;
But little Bessie hung her head,
And to herself she quickly said,
" Oh ! what will now be done ?"
The pie was brought, and then Papa
Began to help it soon ;
He cut the crust, and said, " My dear,
What sort of apple pie is here ?
I only see a spoon ! "
The spoon / ah, me ! the children both
Were startled at that sight ;
For now they knew the silent Eyes,
That looked upon them from the skies,
Had brought their sin to light.
THE APPLE PIE. 21
And now I will not tell you more,
But hope you all will try
To learn the lesson of my song,
And think, when tempted to do wrong,
About that apple pie !
'to |jjer 0%
WELL ! Alice, my dolly,
How are you to-day ?
I will come and sit by you,
And chatter away.
I will just fetch the footstool
And sit at your feet ;
While you rest on the sofa
And smile to me, sweet.
MINNIE TO HER DOLLY.
Your hair is so pretty,
Your eyes are so blue.
Your cheeks are so rosy.
Your frock is so new,
You're the prettiest dolly
I ever did see ;
Who can be so happy,
I wonder, as me !
I) at yet, my dear dolly,
You must not be vexed
If I tell you the thought
That comes to me next.
Though your hair is so pretty,
And your eyes are so blue,
I would rather be Minnie
Than I would be you !
24 MINNIE TO HER DOLLY.
You can't see the flowers,
When they come up in spring ;
You can't hear the birdies,
How sweetly they sing ;
Nor run out of doors
To look in the sky,
And see the white clouds
As they pass swiftly by.
You have no kind papa
Or mamma to be near,
To love you, and teach you ;
So, dolly, my dear,
Though your cheeks are so rosy,
And your dress is so new,
I would rather be Minnie
Than I would be you !
I AM a happy, little child ;
Who is it makes me so ?
Jesus who lives above the sky,
Who taught the little birds to fly,
And made the daisies grow.
The little birds can fly and sing,
The flowers are sweet and fair,
But yet they cannot learn of God,
Or thank Him for his care ;
But I can learn about his love,
And thank Him in my prayer.
2f> THE HAPPY CHILD.
Mamma will teach me more and more
About His love to me :
And I will try through all the day
Happy and good to be ;
For when I am a naughty child
The God in Heaven can see.
LORD JESUS, look upon me,
And teach me how to pray ;
And may Thy Holy Spirit,
Drive foolish thoughts away.
My heart is often naughty,
And filled with passion wild ;
Jesus ! do Thou make me
A holy, happy child.
1 am so very helpless,
Lord, take me as I am ;
Be Thou my gentle Shepherd,
And I Thy little lamb.
28
PRAYER.
And all this day be near me,
To keep me by Thy care ;
Bless every friend that loves me,
And answer this my prayer.
girfr.
THE snow was deep upon the ground,
The pure, untrodden snow,
When, nestled in his downy couch,
My child was lying low
My youngest child, I did not think
He was so soon to go.
For blithe and free as any bird,
How gaily would he sing,
And through the house from early morn
His happy voice would ring.
Ah, me ! I hear within my heart
Its ceaseless echoing.
30 THE BOY AND THE BIRD.
But still and patient, there lie lay,
With scarce a touch of pain,
Enjoying, with a quiet smile,
A robin's fearless strain.
I know that I shall see in dreams
That quiet smile again.
And so, we watched, from day to day,
With many an anxious sigh,
When suddenly an angel came
To bear him through the sky.
" Dear Mother !" then he softly said,
And meekly closed his eye.
The bird beside him piped and sang,
With restless wing outspread ;
It chirped and fluttered, till at length
Its noise was quieted.
And, when we looked within the cage.
The robin, too, was dead !
THE BOY AND THE BIRD.
I -gave him up, my darling child,
The Saviour heard my prayer,
And by His words of tender love,
Has made me strong to bear.
" Fear not," He said, " I take him home,
And you shall see him there/'
His little body lieth low,
The turf is overspread ;
I will not murmur, though my boy
Be numbered with the dead ;
For Christ hath spoken in my heart,
And I am comforted.
SHE fell down at His feet " Lord, I pray
That Thou wouldst come and heal my little child ;
A grievous spirit hath her heart beguiled,
And tempts and tortures her by night and day."
He heard, and strangely turned His face away.
At length, "It is not meet," He slowly said,
" That I should cast away the children's bread
To dogs of heathen nations gone astray."
" Truth, Lord," she made reply, " it is not meet ;
But yet, the dogs eat at the Master's feet
The crumbs that fall." Oh ! radiant look of grace
That rested now upon the Saviour's face.
" Daughter," He said, " arise ! for this thy word,
Go thou thy way in peace, thy prayer is heard."
Mcrxrir
THE poets do not sing of thee,
My favourite wood Anemone.
Many pleasant words I've read
On flowers, which grace the garden bed ;
And prettier ones there are on those
Which fill our meadows and hedgerows,
On wildlings of the wood and stream,
That through the tangled grasses gleam ;
But no one spends a thought on thee,
Thou modest wood Anemone !
Then I will tell, my favourite flower,
How beauteous is thy little dower;
How 'neath the trees thy tiny cup
Each morn doth ope its petals up
34 THE WOOD ANEMONE.
To drink at dawn the early dew,
And thus thy daily strength renew ;
And how these petals do unfold
A little star of purest gold,
That gleanieth through the dewdrops bright,
Rejoicing in the morning light ;
And how thou lovest most the shade)
And, therefore, in the wood or glade,
Thy fragile bell is always seen,
Poised upon its stem of green,
And bending o'er its mossy bed,
Gently inclines its silvery head.
But though the shade thou lovest well,
Yet, when the sun illumes the dell,
To thee it is high festival ;
For then thy petals upward dance,
To meet the sunbeam's earliest glance,
Which downward to thy cup doth stream
With a bright emerald tinted gleam,
THE WOOD ANEMONE. 35
Telling thee many a tale of love,
From its burning throne qf fire above,
And how it liketh well to ;come
And in thy heart to find a home ;
The leaflets of thy stem are stirred,
When listening to the honied word,
And a faint light doth softly flow
From star of gold, which gleams below.
But the sunlight may not always ,stay ;
Reluctantly it steals away,
And thou arf; left alone to dream,
Of the visit of the sweet sunbeam.
A
And I have seen thy slender form
In meekness meet a coming storm.
Thou dost not raise thy head on high,
To brave the wind that passeth by ;
But folding close thy leaves around,
And bowing humbly to the ground,
In quietness thou waitest* there
Till all again is bright and fair.
D 2
36 THE WOOD ANEMONE.
And when the rain and wind are gone,
Thou lookest up, my gentle one ;
Thy form is then more fair to see
Than when the sunbeam smiled on thee ;
For on thy leaves, and down thy stem,
Shines many a rainbow coloured gem ;
And in thy cup the star appears,
Like beauty smiling through her tears.
Oh ! I would fain resemble thee,
My flower, my sweet Anemone ;
My strength each morning to renew
By drinking in the early dew ;
Like thee to watch, with wistful gaze,
To catch the bright sun's earliest rays ;
With heart as full of joy as thine
When the sunbeam round my path doth shine.
And when a storm is threatening near,
And my soul is overwhelmed with fear,
To murmur not, but meekly stay
Until that cloud hath passed away ;
THE WOOD ANEMONE.
And bless His name who thus hath sent
In love each bitter chastisement ;
And bid my faith shine out more clear
Than when prosperity was near.
OUR Father who art in heaven,
Glory to Thy name be given ;
Thou who holdest sea and land
In the hollow of Thine hand;
Yet makest sinful man Thy care,
And listenest to his feeble prayer ;
Glory to Thy name be given,
Our Father who art in heaven.
THE LORD'S PRAYER. 39
And let Thy kingdom come, Lord !
May all receive Thy holy word ;
May heathen lands beyond the sea
Hear, and believe, and turn to Thee ;
Within our hearts, oh ! let it reign,
Cleansing from sin's polluting stain :
May all receive Thy holy word,
Thus, let Thy kingdom conie, O Lord !
On earth, oh ! may we do Thy will,
As angels it in heaven fulfil ;
What though afflictions dark enshroud,
There is a light behind the cloud
A voice that whispers, " God is love ! "
Who sends this trial from above,
And bids you trust Him and be still,
And meekly bear His holy will.
40 THE LOHD'S PRAYER.
(jive us this day our daily bread,
With heavenly food may we be fed ;
Grant us from Thine exhaustless store
The bread of Life for evermore :
Then, though we may on earth below,
Keen poverty and hunger know,
We will not murmur if we're fed,
Day by day, with heavenly bread.
And, oh ! forgive our sins, we pray ;
For Jesus' sake, take them away ;
Every trespass we receive,
May we from our hearts forgive ;
Fill our souls with peace and love
To man below, and God above ;
Oh ! forgive our sins, we pray ;
For Jesus' sake, take them away.
THE LORD'S PRAYER. 41
When in temptation's snaring road,
Do Thou deliver us, God !
Alas ! we are too prone to stray
From wisdom's narrow path away ;
We follow that which we should shun,
And in the ways of folly run ;
When in temptation's snareful road,
Do Thou deliver us, God !
Now, Lord, receive our humble prayer,
May we Thy loving kindness share ;
Adoration, blessing, praise,
We give unto Thy name always ;
Thine is the kingdom, Thine the power,
And Thine the glory evermore ;
The saints in heaven begin the strain,
And all the earth replies Amen !
THE Lord of Life and glory
Became a little child ;
He left His calm, bright heaven,
For earth storms bleak and wild ;
Exchanged the songs of angels
For tones of sin and strife ;
The bosom of His Father
For a weary, painful life.
A CHRISTMAS HYMN. 43
Those eyes, so pure and holy,
With tears were often dim ;
And men who should have welcomed
Despised rejected, Him :
Yet for the joy before Him
He patiently endured,
Till angels high sang " Victory ! "
Salvation was secured.
! Lamb of God ! my Saviour,
Thy death was life for me ;
! grant this day may witness
My life is hid in Thee.
1 bring Thee now my spirit,
All sinful, and defiled,
Lord ! set Thy seal upon me,
Make me a heavenly child.
TRANSLATIONS.
LOTTENSTEIN.
SLOWLY, gently, little fingers,
Now be careful how you hold ;
What we learn with pain as children
Gives us pleasure when we're old.
Grasp the needle not so firmly,
There's a stitch ! now bring it through;
What my Maggie cannot manage,
Margaret soon will learn to do.
GRANDMOTHER'S KNITTING LESSON. 45
Not so stiffly, little fingers,
Put the thread around with care,
Cautiously bring out the needle,
Now, another loop is there.
Ah ! Mamma will be so happy
When you lay your garland bright,
Down upon her birthday table,
With these stockings, smooth and white,
Saying, " Now you know the secret
Grandmamma and I have had ;
Take me in your arms and kiss me,
O Mamma, I am so glad."
farlwg.
LOWENSTEIN.
BREAD and milk are finished quite,
Kiss me now, my heart's delight !
Always first from bed to spring,
Blithe and gay, you darling thing !
Pinafore and frock so white,
Golden hair so smooth and bright ;
Mother's hands, with pride and care,
Braided back that golden hair.
Bring your little book and say
Hymn and verses for to-day ;
Quick and perfect, I declare,
Every little word is there.
Teacher will be glad, I know,
When in school you say it so ;
Now run off to school with pleasure
One more kiss, my little treasure !
sub
A LAPWING said, " I do declare
That ugly nightingale is there ! "
And thrusting forth his crested head,
Thus to the modest bird he said :
" I hope, poor creature, that you see
You are not company for me."
" That's very possible," said she,
And hopped up higher in the tree;
And there she sang so loud and clear,
That people came from far to hear ;
Now low and sweet, now full and high,
She flung abroad her melody ;
And all who listened waited long,
Enchanted with the wondrous song.
48 THE LAPWING AND THE NIGHTINGALE.
Meanwhile the lapwing fluttered by,
And tried in vain to catch their eye.
Alas ! not one among them stirred,
Or said, " Look at that handsome bird." 1
They only stayed for that sweet song,
And when it ceased they all were gone.
So, children dear, the spirit's grace
Is fairer than the fairest face.
MICHAELIS.
A BEE was sipping honey,
The pretty blossom shook,
The bee it toppled over
Into a tiny brook.
A dove upon her bower
A leaf plucked from the tree,
She flew unto the brooklet,
And dropped it to the bee.
The bee, with many struggles,
Got on the leaf afloat,
And safely to the margin
Came the little sylvan boat.
E
50 THE BEE AND THE DOVE.
The dove was cooing softly
Within her bower, one day,
A sportsman came so gaily
With dog, and gun, that way.
He raised the deadly weapon,
He pointed at the dove
The bee came swiftly flying
Upon the wings of love.
She lighted on his finger,
She darted down her sting.
And, puff! the shot was scattered ;-
Our dove was on the wing !
Then welcome every kindness,
And pay it back with love ;
Each one can help another,
Like the busy bee and dove.
LOWENSTEIN.
SHE watched beside her little child,
With many an anxious sigh ;
" The night is very long," she said,
Oh ! would that morn was nigh ! "
" O God ! " she prayed, " in whom I trust,
Let not my darling die."
She listened to the beating heart,
The breathing, deep and slow.
She bowed her head and prayed again :
" Dear Lord ! in joy or woe,
I turn to Thee, and Thou wilt help
My time of need, I know."
E 2
52 MOTHER'S GRIEF.
And then the little child awoke,
And said : " Mother dear,
You must not weep, for in my sleep
An angel was so near ;
He kissed my burning cheek, and said :
t I bring a blessing here.
" ' I come to give you health once more,
And take away the pain ;
Thy Mother's cry was heard just now
Through all the angels' strain ;
It reached the throne of God, and He
Has sent her joy again.' "
8$* Strafream*
OFT in the dewy morning,
A silver voice is heard ;
The blossoms of the valley,
By that sweet sound are stirred.
" Unlock yonr little treasures,
Shake off each idle dream;
I come with light to warm you,
I am the bright sunbeam.
" I only ask permission
To rest a little while,
To kiss your lovely blossoms,
And cheer you by my smile.
My smile hath wondrous power,
When buds and blossoms die,
To win their fragrance upward
Into the clear, blue sky."
rrf
CHAMISSO.
BEFORE the town of Winsberg
The noble Conrad lay,
"With all his mighty army,
For many a weary day ;
For the beleaguered city,
Though vanquished, would not yield ;
The men cried, " No surrender ! "
Although their fate was sealed.
THE WOMEN OF WIXSBERG. 55
But hunger came, and famine,
And pierced them like a thorn ;
They asked the King for mercy,
He answered them with scorn :
" My soldiers ye have slaughtered,
And by my kingly word,
The man that ventures from the gate
Shall perish by the sword."
The women then drew near him,
And answered : " Be it so ;
Oar hands are pure from shedding blood,
Grant us in peace to go."
The King, when moved to pity,
His anger turned aside,
And to the fearless women
He graciously replied :
THE WOMEN OF WINSBERG.
" The boon you ask is granted,
And in this time of dearth,
Quit ye the town to-morrow,
And bear your treasures forth."
And then unto his nobles,
" My final will ye know,
The women with their burdens
Unhindered are to go."
Then on the morrow morning,
Before the dawn of day,
Just as the eastern darkness