The Garland of Poetry for the Young. A selection, etc

Front matter

THE GARLAND OF POETRY FOR THE YOUNG. A SELECTLON LN FOUR PARTS. BT MRS. C. H. KIRKLAND. TWO VOLUMES IR ORE. NEW YORK: CHARLES SCRIBNER & COMPANY. 1868. Entered, according to Act os Congress, in the year 1863, hy CHARLES SCRIBNER, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States foi the Southern District of New York. JOHN F. TROW, PRINTER, STEREOTYPER, AND ELECTROTYPES, 50 Greece street, New York. PUBLISHERS' NOTE. This Selection of Poetry first appeared as " The School- Girl's Garland," hut the universal popularity which it reached, proved this to he a restricted designation; and in issuing this new edition the publishers have given it a title more in accordance with its actual scope. In order to secure for the collection the large sale which its merits deserve, the two volumes of the original edition are here brought into one, and the price of the work has been reduced.

Preface

. PARENTS, and all interested in education, aware of the value of Poetry as an element of the best culture, have felt the want of a more extensive and various collection of poetical pieces suited to different ages, than is at present acces sible — a volume which, while it retains the old favorites, shall, by introducing new and choice, though less known, poems, embrace a more abun dant variety. The present selection is intended to meet this want. The pieces are given without comment, both because comment comes with better grace and

PREFACE.

. more acceptance from parents and teachers than in print, and because it would increase the size of a work which ought to be compact and portable. In choosing among the multitude of poems suited to the comprehension and taste of children and young people, preference has generally been given to lively and striking ones. Picturesque, descriptive, narrative, and domestic pieces have been particularly sought, as they generally find their way readily to young hearts. The didactic element by no means predominates. Express instruction in morals is given in various forms in all our schools, and it does not seem ne cessary that every little poem should be burdened with a lesson. There is a subtle and powerful teaching in all good poetry, and to insist on a prominent ' moral ' would only be to make poetry prosy.

Sacred pieces are rather sparingly intro duced ; not because they ought not to form a large portion of our poetical teaching, but because ex cellent collections of hymns are found in all Chris tian schools ancKfamilies, and economy of space

PREFACE.

. 7 was desirable. Our book can contain but a limited portion of all the good and beautiful things we long to put into it. Poems of a sad and pathetic cast are peculiarly abundant, but will not be found to occupy a pro portionate space here, because a bright, healthful, hopeful tone of mind is so much more desirable than one morbidly excitable. To dwell too much on imaginary sorrow is not so apt to cultivate ten der and sympathetic feelings as to exhaust emotion and render it barren of good results. Cheerful views of God's providence, and a firm and humble faith in His boundless love, tend to raise our hearts toward Him, and to soften them toward our fellow creatures. Gloom is an enemy, not a friend of goodness. It is with great regret that we are obliged to omit the name of any author, but we have not found it practicable in all cases to ascertain it, and hope this general apology will be accepted, — the more readily that collections of school-poetry are not vehicles of fame.

C. M. K. THE SCHOOL-GIBUS GARLAND. PART FIRST. PART FIRST. i. THE BOOK. A BOOK for me ! a book for me I That is the present I love to see ! For common things I do not care — Something to eat or something to wear — That is, I like them, but not for a. present, But oh ! a nice book is always pleasant ! In winter 'tis good, by the evening light, When lessons are done and the fire burns bright, And the stormy wind outside sounds drear — To sit and read, with my pussy near ; Papa on one side and mamma on the other, While close by the table sit sister and brother. 1* THE SCHOOLGLRLS 12 Or in summer, when leaves are whispering sweet, And I carry my book to the shady seat Where the hummingbird hides himself in the bell Of the trumpet creeper we love so well — Oh ! then the stories of flowers and birds Seem to speak my own thoughts as I read the words, And oh !

I do have such pleasant dreams, And each story I read so real seems 1 I can see the fairies and hear them talk, And angels pacing the garden walk, And beautiful creatures wherever I look — O papa— papa — please give me the book ! ii. SPRING VOICES. ' /^ AW, caw ! " says the crow, \_y " Spring has come again, I know ; For, as sure as I am born, There's a farmer planting corn. I shall breakfast there, I trow, Ere his corn begins to grow." " Quack, quack ! " says the duck, " Was there ever such good luck ? Spring has cleared this pond of ice By her magic, in a trice, Just as Goodman Drake and I Its smooth surface wished to try." GARLAND. 13 III. CRADLE HYMN. HUSH, my dear, lie still and slumber ; Holy angels guard thy bed ; Heavenly blessings without number Gently falling on thy head. Sleep, my babe, thy food and raiment, House and home, thy friends provide ; And without thy care, or payment, All thy wants are well supplied.

Soft and easy is thy cradle ; Coarse and hard thy Saviour lay, When his birthplace was a stable, And his softest bed was hay. Blessed babe ! what glorious features, Spotless, fair, divinely bright ! Must he dwell with brutal creatures ? How could angels bear the sight ? Was there nothing but a manger, Wicked sinners could afford To receive the heavenly strSnger ? Dared they thus affront the Lord ? Soft, my child, I did not chide thee, Though my song might sound too hard ; 'Tis thy mother sits beside thee, And her arms shall be thy guard. Yet to read the shameful story, How the Jews abused their King — How they served the Lord of glory, Makes me angry while I sing. See the kinder shepherds round him, Telling wonders from the sky ; Where they sought him, there they found him, With his virgin mother by.

See the lovely babe a-dressing ! Lovely infant, how he smiled : When he wept, the mother's blessing Soothed and hushed the holy Child. Lo, he slumbers in the manger, Where the horned oxen fed ! Peace, my darling, here 's no danger, There 's no oxen near thy bed. 'Twas to save thee, child, from dying, Save my dear from bufning flame, Bitter groans and endless crying, That thy blest Redeemer came. May'st thou live to know and fear him, Trust and love him all thy days ; Then go dwell for ever near him, See his face, and sing his praise. I could give thee thousand kisses, Hoping what I most desire ; Not a mother's fondest wishes Can to greater joys aspire. Dr. Watts. GARLAND. 15 IV LITTLE ANN. ANN. " "A /TOTHER, how can flowers grow ? " J_VJL Said little Ann, one day ; " The fields are covered o'er with snow — When will it go away ?

" MOTHER. " A few months hence, dear Ann, will view, In the garden now so white, The yellow cowslip, violet blue, And daffodil so bright." v. KINDNESS TO ANIMALS. I LIKE little pussy, her coat is so warm, And if I don't hurt her, she '11 do me no harm ; So I'll not pull her tail, nor drive her away, But pussy and I very gently will play : She shall sit by my side, and I'll give her some food, And she'll love me because I am gentle and good. I'll pat little pussy, and then she will purr, And thus show her thanks for my kindness to her; I'll not pinch her ears, nor tread on her paw, Lest I should provoke her to use her sharp claw ■ I never will vex her, nor make her displeased, For pussy don't like to be worried and teased. Miss Taylor YI. THE PLGEON. COO ! coo ! pretty pigeon, all day, Coo 1 coo ! to your children and mate ; You seem in your soft note to say That you never knew anger or hate.

And thus little children should try To be civil, and patient, and kind ; And not to be pettish, and cry, When they cannot have all to their mind. VII. LITTLE ROBIN REDBREASTS AT HOME. TWO Robin Redbreasts built their nest Within a hollow tree ; The hen sat quietly at home, The cock sang merrily ; And all the little young ones said : " Wee-wee — wee-wee — wee-wee I " GARLAND. 17 One day the sun was warm and bright And shining in the sky ; Cock robin said : " My little dears, 'Tis time you learn'd to fly." And all the little young ones said : " We'll try— we'll try— we'll try ! " I know a child, and who she is I'll tell you by and by ; When mamma says do this or that, She says : " What for ? " and " Why ? " She'd be a better child by far If she would say : " I'll try." YIIL THE SLELGH RLDE. JINGLE, jingle, go the bells ; A right good time have we, Over the valleys and over the hills, Dear grandmamma to see.

The day is bright, and away we go As swift as swift can be, Over the smoothly trodden snow, Dear grandmamma to see. And look, do look, for there she stands, Aunt Mary by her side, To welcome us with outstretched hands After our pleasant ride. And there is George — and Carlo too 1 For they heard the telltale bells, As over the shining road we flew, And down the slippery hills. 13. NO ONE EXCUSED. WHAT if a drop of rain should plead : " So small a drop as I Can ne'er refresh the thirsty mead ; I'll tarry in the sky " ? What if the shining beam of noon Should in its fountain stay, Because its feeble light alone, Cannot create a day ? Does not each raindrop help to form The cool, refreshing shower ? And every ray of light to warm And beautify the flower ? x. THE GOOD SHEPHERD. JESUS says that we must love him ; Helpless as the lambs are we ; But he very kindly tells us That our shepherd he will be.

GARLAND. 19 Heavenly Shepherd ! please to watch us. Guard us both by night and day ; Pity show to little children, Who, like lambs, too often stray. We are always prone to wander ; Please to keep us from each snare ; Teach our infant hearts to praise thee, For thy kindness and thy care. XI LLTTLE THINGS. LITTLE drops of water, Little grains of sand, Make the mighty ocean And the pleasant land. Thus the little minutes, Humble though they be, Make the mighty ages Of eternity. Thus our little errors Lead the soul away From the path of virtue, Off in sin to stray. Little deeds of kindness, Little words of love, Make our earth an Eden Like the heaven above. Mrs. Osgood, NURSERY SONG. AS I walked over the hill, one day, I listened, and heard a mother sheep say— " la all the green world there is nothing so sweet As my little lammie, with his nimble feet ; With his eye so bright, And his wool so white, Oh, he is my darling, my heart's delight."

And the mother sheep and her little one Side by side lay down in the sun, And they went to sleep on the hillside warm, While my little lammie lies here on my arm. I went to the kitchen, and "what did I see, But the old gray cat with her kittens three ! I heard her whispering soft ; — said she, " My kittens, with tails all so cunningly curled, Are the prettiest things that can be in the world. The bird on the tree, And the old ewe, she — May love their babies exceedingly ; But I love my kittens there, Under the rocking chair, — I love my kittens with all my might, I love them at morning, and noon, and night. Now I'll take up my kitties, the kitties I love, And we'll lie down together beneath the warm stove." Let the kitties sleep under the stove so warm While my little darling lies here on my arm.

GARLAND. 21 I went to the yard, and I saw the old hen Go clucking about with her chickens ten. She clucked and she scratched and she bristled away, And what do you think I heard the hen say ? I heard her say, " The sun never did shine On any thing like to these chickens of mine ! You may hunt the full moon, and the stars, if you please, But you never will find ten such chickens as these. My dear downy darlings ! my sweet little things ! Come nestle now cosily under my wings." So the hen said, And the chickens all sped As fast as they could to their nice feather bed. And there let them sleep in their feathers so warm, While my little chick lies here on my arm. Mrs. Carter. XIII. THE MICE. THE merry mice stay in their holes. And hide themselves by day ; But when the house is still at night, The rogues come out to play.

They climb upon the pantry shelf, And taste of all they please ; They drink the milk that's set for cream, And nibble bread and cheese. But if they chance to hear the cat, Their feast will soon be done ; They'll scamper off to hide themselves, As fast as they can run. Some tiny mice live in the fields, And feed on flies and corn ; And in a pretty hanging nest The little ones are born. When winter comes, they burrow holes And line them soft with hay ; And while the snow is on the ground, They sleep the time away. All living creatures like to be As free as you and I ; They love the fields, the woods and hills, They love the sweet blue sky. XIV. MY PUSSY. OH ! here is Miss Pussy ; She 's drinking her milk ; Her coat is as soft And as glossy as silk. She sips it all up With her little lap-lap ; Then, wiping her whiskers, Lies down for a nap.

GARLAND. 23 My kittie is gentle, She loves me right well, And how funny her play is I 'm sure I can't tell. XT. A CHILD'S PRAYER. THE day is gone, the night is come, The night for quiet rest ; And every little bird has flown Home to its downy nest. The robin was the last to go ; Upon the leafless bough. He sang his evening hymn to God, And he is silent now. The bee is hushed within the hive ; Shut is the daisy's eye ; The stars alone are peeping forth From out the darkened sky. No, not the stars alone ; for God Has heard what I have said ; His eye looks on His little child, Kneeling beside its bed. He kindly hears me thank Him now For all that he Has given, For friends, and books, and clothes and food ; But most of all for Heaven — u Where I shall go when I am dead, If truly I do right ; Where I shall meet all those I love As angels pure and bright.

Household Words. XVI. THANK YOU, PRETTY COW. THAiSm you, pretty cow, that made Pleasant milk to soak my bread, Every day and every night, Warm and sweet, and fresh and white. Do not chew the hemlock rank, Growing on the weedy bank ; But the yellow cowslips eat, They will make it very sweet ! Where the bubbling water flows, Where the purple violet grows, Where the grass is fresh and fine, Pretty cow, go there and dine. Miss Jane Taylor. XVII. TWINKLE, TWINKLE, LLTTLE STAR." TWINKLE, twinkle, little star, How I wonder what you are ! Up above the world so high Like a diamond in the sky. GARLAND. 25 When the blazing sun is gone, When he nothing shines upon, Then you show your little light, Twinkle, twinkle all the night. Then the traveller in the dark Thanks you for your tiny spark ; He would not know which way to go If you did not twinkle so.

In the dark blue sky you keep, And often through my curtains peep ; For you never shut your eye Till the sun is in the sky. Since your bright and tiny spark, Lights the traveller in the dark, Though I know not what you are, Twinkle, twinkle, little star. Miss Jane Taylor. XVIII. JESUS SEES YOU. LITTLE child, when you're at play Do you know that Jesus sees you ? He it is who made the day, Sunshine, birds, and flowers to please you. O then thank him much, and pray To be grateful every day. Little child, when you're afraid, Do you know that Christ is by you ? Seek his care then ! He has said : Ask, and I will not deny you. And he never fails to hear ; He will keep you — do not fear ! Little child, when you are bad, Do you think that Jesus knows it ? Yes ! and O, it makes him glad When you're sorry and disclose it.

O ! then, tell him quick ! and pray To grow better every day. XIX. SULKY SUSAN. WHY is Susan standing there, Leaning down upon a chair, With such an angry lip and brow ? I wonder what's the matter now ! Come here, my dear, and tell me true Is it because I spoke to you About the work you'd pucker'd so, That you this naughty temper show ? Why, then, indeed I'm grieved to see That you can so unlovely be ! You make your fault a great deal worse By being angry and perverse. GARLAND. 27 O I how much better 'twould appear To see you shed a humble tear, And then to hear you meekly say : " I'll not do so another day ! " Miss Jane Taylor. XX. THE PLGEON HOUSE. LOOK ! here's a pretty pigeon house ! In every narrow cell A pigeon with his little wife And family may dwell. Their beds are only made of straw, The rooms are dark and small, But many though the pigeons be There's room enough for all — Because they don't dispute and fret For every little thing, But live in love and gentleness, At home and on the wing.

How soft and low their cooing sounds, As each one says " Good night 1 " How cheerful when at early morn They dress their feathers white. Then far into the woods and fields To seek their food they fly, Returning to their house betimes When sunset gilds the sky. Blades and Flowers. THE MONKEY. SEE ! there's a monkey in the street ; His face looks very old, And though he wears a little coat, I think he feels the cold. His master plays the tambourine, And makes him dance and leap ; But when he's tired he carries him And lets Mm go to sleep. The monkey's home is far away In lands across the seas, And there they live in merry troops Among the forest trees. They climb, and play, and spring about, And gather juicy fruits, Or on the mossy ground they run To dig for wholesome roots. The monkey loves her little one, She holds it on her arm, Or lets it sit upon her back To keep it safe from harm.

Now let us give poor Jack some nuts, He puts them in his cheek, And looks as if he'd ask for more, If he could only speak. Blades and Flowers. GARLAND. 29 XXII. MY LADY WIND. MY lady Wind, my lady Wind, Went round about the house to find A chink to get her foot in ; She tried the key hole in the door, She tried the crevice in the floor, And drove the chimney soot in. And there one night when it was dark, She blew up such a tiny spark, That all the house was pothered ; From it she raised up such a flame, As flared away to Maiden Lane, And down-town folks were smothered. And thus when once, my little dears, A whisper reaches itching ears, The same will come, you'll find ; Take my advice, restrain the tongue, Remember what your friend, has sung Of busy Lady Wind. XXIII. MADAME TAR TINE. THE mighty Lady Bread-and-Butter, Dwelt in a tower of dainties made : The walls of pudding crust were fashioned, The floors with cracknels overlaid.

Sponge cake was her mattres9, Well softened with milk, Her bed had for curtains Spun sugar like silk. Great Master Muffin did she marry, Whose cloak was made of toasted cheeso ; His hat was framed of nicest fritters, In pie-crust coat he walked at ease. His chocolate waistcoat Looked very funny, With stockings of candy And slippers of honey. The fair Angelica, their daughter — Ah me ! what sweets the maid compose ! In truth she was the choicest comfit ; Of toffy is her lovely nose. I see her arraying Her gown with such taste 1 She decked it with flowers Of best apple paste. Young Lemonade, that stately sovereign, Once came the lady to adore ; Large pendent wreaths of roasted pippins, Twined in his marmalade locks he wore. With diadem royal, Of cakes he was decked, And a circlet of raisins Commanded respect.

GARLAND. 31 A guard of cucumbers and capers Accompanied the mighty lord ; Their muskets all were charged with pepper, Of onion peel was every sword. Upon a throne sublime of pancakes The royal couple proudly sat ; Bonbons were flowing from their pockets, From morn till eve and after that. But wicked fairy Carabossa Inspired no doubt by jealous spite, Just lifted up her ugly hump, and Upset this palace of delight. moral — by the children. Some sugar pray give us, Dear father and mother, And we'll do our utmost To build up another. Household Words. XXIY. CHILD'S HYMN. HEAR my prayer, O ! Heavenly Father, Ere I lay me down to sleep ; Bid thy angels, pure and holy, Round my bed Thy vigil keep. My sins are heavy, but Thy mercy Far outweighs them every one ; Down before Thy cross I cast them, Trusting in Thy help alone.

Keep me through this night of peril, Underneath its boundless shade ; Take me to Thy rest, I pray Thee, When my pilgrimage is made. None shall measure out Thy patience By the span of human thought ; None shall bound the tender mercies Which Thy Holy Son has bought. Pardon all my past transgressions, Give me strength for days to come ; Guide and guard me with Thy blessing, Till thy angels bid me home. Household Words. XXV. THE CHILD'S DESIRE. I THINK when I read that sweet story of old, When Jesus was here among men, How he called little children as lambs to his fold, I should like to have been with them then. I wish that his hands had been placed on my head, That his arms had been thrown around me, And that I might have seen his kind looks when he said : " Let the little ones come unto me."

But still, to his footstool in prayer I may go, And ask for a share of his love ; And if I thus earnestly seek him below, I shall see him and hear him above. GARLAND. 33 In that beautiful place he has goue to prepare For all that are washed and forgiven ; And many dear children are gathering there, " For of such is the kingdom of heaven." Mrs. Luke. XXVI. GOOD-NIGHT. " /"**■- OOD-NIGHT ! " said the plough to the \JT weary old horse ; And Dobbin responded, " Good-night ! " Then with Tom on his back, to the farm house he turned, With a seeling of quiet delight. " Good-night ! " said the ox, with a comical bow, As he turned from the heavy old cart ; Which laughed till it shook a round wheel from its side, Then creaked out, " Good-night, from my heart ! " " Good-night ! " said the hen, when her supper was done, To Fanny, who stood in the door ; ' Good-night 1 " answered Fanny, " come back in the morn, And you and your chicks shall have more."

" Quack, quack I " said the duck, " I wish you all well, Though I can not tell what is polite." " The will for the deed," answered Benny the brave ; " Good-night, Madame Ducky, good-night ! " The geese were parading the beautiful green, But the goslings were wearied out quite ; So, shutting their peepers, from under the wing, They murmured a sleepy " good-night ! " Now the shades of evening were gathering apace, And fading the last gleam of light ; So to father and mother, both Fanny and Ben Gave a kiss, and a hearty " Good-night ! XXVII. MORNLNG PRAYER. JESUS, Lord, to Thee I pray : Guide and guard me through this day ; As the shepherd tends the sheep, Lord ! me safe from evil keep. Keep my feet from every snare, Keep me with Thy watchful care ; All my little wants supply, If I live, or if I die.

And when life, O Lord ! is past, Take me to Thyself at last. GARLAND. 35 XXYIII. WA TER. HOW wonderful is water, Though we see it every day ! It's clear as air, and useful For more than I can say. It's very good for drinking, It helps the ships to sail ; It falls from clouds in raining, And in the snow and hail. What could we do without it ? No trees or grass could grow ; And we should all be thirsty, And not know where to go. The oceans would be valleys That never could be passed ; No clouds would come to shade us, And the earth would be a waste. How good a thing is water, To every thirsty child ! Strong drink will make men angry, This makes us calm and mild. It tastes the best of all things When we are warm or dry ; And if we're not, we should not drink, There is no reason why. 2* THE POND AND THE BROOK.

" "ATEIGHBOR Brook," said the Pond, one day _L_N| " Why do you flow so fast away ? Sultry June is hastening on, And then your water will all be gone." " Nay, my friend," the Brook replied, " Do not thus my conduct chide ; Shall I rather hoard than give ? Better die than useless live." Summer came and blazing June Dried the selfish Pond full soon ; Not a single trace was seen Where it had so lately been. But the Brook with vigor flowed Swift along its pebbly road, And the fragrant flowers around Loved to hear the happy sound. XXX. WORK AND PLAY. WORK while you work, Play while you play, That is the way To be cheerful and gay. GARLAND. 37 All that you do, Do with your might ; Things done by halves Are never done right. One thing at a time, And that done well, Is a very good rule, As many can tell.

Moments are useless, Trifled away ; So work while you work, Play while you play. Youth's Companion. XXXI. MY GARDEN. MY little garden is the spot Where I delight to be ; There is no place, where'er I go, That is so dear to me. My little garden ever yields The sweetest fruits and flowers, 'Tis here I labor through the day, And spend my evening hours. I plant, and prune, and water it With diligence an<ft care ; That every plant, and shrub, and tree, Abundant fruit may bear. There's not a flower of brilliant hue, In woodland or in fields TTiat can outvie in colors bright The flowers my garden yields. My garden e'er affords to me Some profit and pursuit ; 'Tis here I cull the sweetest flowers, And taste the richest fruit. Then in my garden let me toil, And spend my moments there ; For what my labor has produced, I ever find most dear.

C. W. Sanders. XXXII. KLTTEN GOSSLP. KITTEN, kitten, two months old, Woolly snowball, lying snug, Curled up in the warmest fold Of the warm hearth-rug, Turn your drowsy head this way. What is Life ? Oh, kitten, say I " Life ? " said the kitten, winking her eyes, And twitching her tail in a droll surprise — " Life ? O, it's racing over the floor, Out at the window and in at the door; GARLAND. 39 Now on the chairback, now on the table, 'Mid balls of cotton and skeins of silk, And crumbs of sugar and jugs of milk, All so cozy and comfortable. It's patting the little dog's ears, and leaping Round him and over him while he's sleeping — Waking him up in a sore affright, Then off and away like a flash of light, Scouring and scampering out of sight. Life ? O, it's rolling over and over On the summer-green turf and budding clover ; Chasing the shadows as fast as they run, Down the garden paths in the mid-day sun, Prancing and gambolling, brave and bold, Climbing the tree stems, scratching the mould, That's life 1 " said the kitten two months old.