Sniffing round and round about,
Till I find you children out;
And my dreadful den shall be

Deep within the hollow tree."

"Oh, no! please not, Robert dear, Do not be a grizzly bear!

Little May was half afraid

When she heard the noise you made,

Roaring like a lion strong,

Just now as you came along ;

And she 'll scream and start, to-night,
If you give her any fright."

"Well, then, I will be a fox!

You shall be the hens and cocks,
In the farmer's apple-tree,
Crowing out so lustily ;

I will softly creep this way
Peep-and pounce upon my prey;
And I'll bear you to my den
Where the fern grows in the glen."

σε Oh, no, Robert! you 're so strong,
While you're dragging us along
I'm afraid you'll tear our frocks:
We won't play at hens and cocks."
"If you won't play fox or bears,
I'm a dog, and you be hares;
Then you 'll only have to run;

Girls are never up to fun."

"You 've your play, and we have ours:

Go and climb the trees again!

I, and little May, and Jane,

Are so happy with our flowers!

Jane is culling foxglove bells;
May and I are making posies,
And we want to search the dells,

For the latest summer roses."

-Mrs. Hawtrey.

LITTLE WHITE LILY.

LITTLE White Lily

Sat by a stone,

Drooping and waiting

Till the sun shone.

Little white Lily

Sunshine has fed;
Little white Lily
Is lifting her head.

Little white Lily
Said, "It is good
Little white Lily's
Clothing and food."
Little white Lily

Drest like a bride!

Shining with whiteness,
And crowned beside !

Little white Lily
Droopeth with pain,
Waiting and waiting
For the wet rain.
Little white Lily
Holdeth her cup;
Rain is fast falling

And filling it up.

Purple with the north wind,
Yet alert and bold,

Fearing not, and caring not,
Though they be a-cold.

What to them is weather?

What are stormy showers? Buttercups and Daisies,

Are these human flowers!
He who gave them hardship,
And a life of care,

Gave them likewise hardy strength,
And patient hearts to bear!

Welcome, yellow Buttercups!
Welcome, Daisies white !
Ye are in my spirit

Visioned, a delight!
Coming ere the spring-time
Of sunny hours to tell;

Speaking to our hearts of Him

Who doeth all things well.

LITTLE DANDELION.

GAY little Dandelion

Lights up the meads,
Swings on her slender foot,
Telleth her beads,

Lists to the robin's note

Poured from above :

Wise little Dandelion

Asks not for love.

-Mary Howitt.