40 A LITTLE GOOSE. And, one hand round her treasure, while "Oh! please, I want my mother." "He came and played at Miller's step, - I followed down the street because I've walked about a hundred hours From one street to another; The monkey's gone; I've spoiled my flowers; "But what's your mother's name? and what The street? Now think a minute." "My mother's name is Mother Dear; The street I can't begin it." Or new, A LITTLE GOOSE. "Oh dear! I ought to be at home To help him say his prayers, He's such a baby he forgets; And we are both such players; And there's a bar between to keep From pitching on each other, For Harry rolls when he's asleep; Oh dear! I want my mother." The sky grew stormy; people passed I tied a kerchief round her neck: “What ribbon's this, my blossom? "Why, don't you know?" she, smiling, said, And drew it from her bosom. A card with number, street, and name! "For," said the little 66 I might some time forget it, And so I wear a little thing That tells you all about it; For mother says she's very sure I should get lost without it." ELIZA S. TURNER. 41 42 MARY'S LAMB. MARY'S LAMB. Mary had a little lamb, Its fleece was white as snow; He followed her to school one day, - It made the children laugh and play, As if he said, "I'm not afraid, You'll keep me from all harm:” "What makes the lamb love Mary so?" "Oh, Mary loves the lamb, you know," MRS. HALE. THE PET LAMB. 43 THE PET LAMB. The dew was falling fast, the stars began to blink; I heard a voice: it said, "Drink, pretty creature, drink!" And, looking o'er the hedge, before me I espied A snow-white mountain lamb, with a maiden at its side. No other sheep were near, the lamb was all alone, The lamb, while from her hand he thus his supper took, Seemed to feast with head and ears; and his tail with pleasure shook. "Drink, pretty creature, drink," she said in such a tone, That I almost received her heart into my own. 'Twas little Barbara Lewthwaite, a child of beauty rare! 44 THE PET LAMB. Towards the lamb she looked; and from that shady place I, unobserved, could see the workings of her face: If Nature to her tongue could measured numbers bring, Thus, thought I, to her lamb that little maid might sing: "What ails thee, young one? What? Why pull so at thy cord? Is it not well with thee? well both for bed and board? Thy plot of grass is soft, and green as grass can be; Rest, little young one, rest: what is't that aileth thee? "Rest, little young one, rest; thou hast forgot the day When my father found thee first in places far away: Many flocks were on the hills, but thou wert owned by none, And thy mother from thy side for evermore was gone. "He took thee in his arms, and in pity brought thee home: A blessed day for thee! Then whither wouldst thou. roam? A faithful nurse thou hast: the dam that did thee yean Upon the mountain-tops no kinder could have been. |