LILY'S BALL.

Lily gave a party;

And her little playmates all, Gayly drest, came in their best, To dance at Lily's ball.

Little Quaker Primrose
Sat and never stirred,
And, except in whispers,
Never spoke a word.

Snowdrop nearly fainted

Because the room was hot;

And went away, before the rest, With sweet Forget-me-not.

Pansy danced with Daffodil,

Rose with Violet; Silly Daisy fell in love

With pretty Mignonette.

32

LILY'S BALL.

But, when they danced the country-dance,

One could scarcely tell

Which of these two danced it best,

Cowslip or Heatherbell.

Between the dances, when they all

Were seated in their places,
I thought I'd never seen before
So many pretty faces.

But, of all the pretty maidens
I saw at Lily's ball,

Darling Lily was to me

The sweetest of them all.

And, when the dance was over,
They went downstairs to sup;
And each had a taste of honey-cake,
With dew in a buttercup.

And all were dressed to go away,

Before the set of sun;

And Lily said "Good-by," and gave

A kiss to every one.

And before the moon or a single star

Was shining overhead,

Lily and all her little friends

Were fast asleep in bed.

FUN AND EARNEST.

THE POPPY.

High on a bright and sunny bed
A scarlet poppy grew ;
And up it held its staring head,
And thrust it full in view.

Yet no attention did it win
By all these efforts made,
And less unwelcome had it been
In some retired shade.

For though within its scarlet breast
No sweet perfume was found,
It seemed to think itself the best
Of all the flowers around.

From this I may a hint obtain,
And take great care indeed,
Lest I appear as pert and vain

As is this gaudy weed.

JANE TAYLOR.