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.

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.