Verses for Children Part 16

With bark and bound and frolic round My dog and I together run; While by our side a brook doth glide, And laugh and sparkle in the sun.

We ask no more of fortune's store Than thus at our sweet wills to roam: And drink heart's ease from every breeze That blows about the hills of home.

As, fancy free, With game and glee, We happy three Dance down the glen.

And yet they say that some fine day This vagrant stream may serve a mill; My doggy guard a master's yard; My free heart choose another's will.

How this may fare we little care, My dog and I, as still we run!

Whilst by our side the brook doth glide, And laugh and sparkle in the sun.

For, fancy free, With game and glee, We happy three Dance down the glen.

MY LOVE'S GIFT.

You ask me what--since we must part-- You shall bring home to me; Bring back a pure and faithful heart, As true as mine to thee.

I ask not wealth nor fame, I only ask for thee, Thyself--and that dear self the same-- My love, bring back to me!

You talk of gems from foreign lands, Of treasure, spoil, and prize.

Ah, love! I shall not search your hands, But look into your eyes.

I ask not wealth nor fame, I only ask for thee, Thyself--and that dear self the same-- My love, bring back to me!

You speak of glory and renown, With me to share your pride, Unbroken faith is all the crown I ask for as your bride.

I ask not wealth nor fame, I only ask for thee, Thyself--and that dear self the same-- My love, bring back to me!

You bid me with hope's eager gaze Behold fair fortune come.

I only dream I see your face Beside the hearth at home.

I ask not wealth nor fame, I do but ask for thee!

Thyself--and that dear self the same-- May G.o.d restore to me!

ANEMONES.

If I should wish hereafter that your heart Should beat with one fair memory of me, May Time's hard hand our footsteps guide apart, But lead yours back one spring-time to the Lea.

Nodding Anemones, Wind-flowers pale, Bloom with the budding trees, Dancing to every breeze, Mock hopes more fair than these, Love's vows more frail.

For then the gra.s.s we loved grows green again, And April showers make April woods more fair; But no sun dries the sad salt tears of pain, Or brings back summer lights on faded hair, Nodding Anemones, Wind-flowers pale, Bloom with the budding trees, Dancing to every breeze, Mock hopes more frail than these, Love's vows more frail.

AUTUMN LEAVES.

The Spring's bright tints no more are seen, And Summer's ample robe of green Is russet-gold and brown; When flowers fall to every breeze And, shed reluctant from the trees, The leaves drop down.

A sadness steals about the heart, --And is it thus from youth we part, And life's redundant prime?

Must friends like flowers fade away, And life like Nature know decay, And bow to time?

And yet such sadness meets rebuke, From every copse in every nook Where Autumn's colours glow; How bright the sky! How full the sheaves!

What mellow glories gild the leaves Before they go.

Then let us sing the jocund praise, In this bright air, of these bright days, When years our friendships crown; The love that's loveliest when 'tis old-- When tender tints have turned to gold And leaves drop down.

HYMNS.

CONFIRMATION.

Long, long ago, with vows too much forgotten, The Cross of Christ was seal'd on every brow, Ah! slow of heart, that shun the Christian conflict; Rise up at last! The accepted time is now.

Soldiers of Jesus! Blest who endure; Stand in the battle; the victory is sure.

Hark! hark! the Saviour's voice to each is calling-- "I bore the Cross of Death in pain for thee; On thee the Cross of daily life is falling: Children! take up the Cross and follow Me."

Soldiers of Jesus! &c.

Strive as G.o.d's saints have striven in all ages; Press those slow steps where firmer feet have trod: For us their lives adorn the sacred pages, For them a crown of glory is with G.o.d.

Soldiers of Jesus! &c.

Peace! peace! sweet voices bring an ancient story, (Such songs angelic melodies employ,) "Hard is the strife, but unconceived the glory: Short is the pain, eternal is the joy."

Soldiers of Jesus! &c.

On! Christian souls, all base temptations spurning, Drown coward thoughts in Faith's triumphant hymn; Since Jesus suffer'd, our salvation earning, Shall we not toil that we may rest with Him?

Soldiers of Jesus! &c. Amen.

WHITSUNTIDE.

Come down! come down! O Holy Ghost!

As once of old Thou didst come down In fiery tongues at Pentecost, The Apostolic heads to crown.

Come down! though now no flame divine, Nor heaven-sent Dove, our sight amaze; Our Church still shows the outward sign, Thou truly givest inward grace.

Come down! come down! on infancy, The babes whom Jesus deign'd to love; G.o.d give us grace by faith to see, Above the Font, the mystic Dove.

Come down! come down! on kneeling bands Of those who fain would strength receive; And in the laying on of hands Bless us beyond what we believe.

Come down! not only on the saint, Oh! struggle with the hard of heart, With wilful sin and inborn taint, Till l.u.s.t, and wrath, and pride depart.