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Look, look how he flutters !-He'll slip from my hold.
Ah, rogue! you've forgotten both hunger and cold!
But indeed 'tis in vain, for I sha'nt set you free,
For all your whole life you're a prisoner with me ;
Well housed, and well fed, in your cage you will sing,
And make our dull winter as gay as the spring.
But stay,-sure 'tis cruel, with wings made to soar,
To be shut up in prison, and never fly more!
And I, who so often have long'd for a flight,
Shall I keep you prisoner ?-Mamma-is it right?
No, come, pretty robin, I must set you free,-
For your whistle, though sweet, would sound sadly to
LUCY AIKIN.

me.

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EVENING QUESTIONS.

Now day with all its busy cares,
Its tempting pleasures and its snares,
Hath pass'd away; but ere I rest,
Let me consult my tell-tale breast,
And ask if all be right within,
And, as it should be, free from sin.

Would all my actions bear the light,
Which conscience gives in darkest night?
Would I desire some deed undone,
Or words unsaid, whose angry tone
I now can recollect with shame,
And feel how much I was to blame?
Have I obey'd my parents' will,
And neither done nor spoken ill ?
Have my companions found me kind,
And have I learn'd with willing mind?

If truth shall answer yes, I may
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Reflect with pleasure on this day.

And when I've open'd all my heart
To Him, who sees its smallest part,
Return'd him thanks in humble prayer,
And craved his all-protecting care,
In peace I may my eyelids close,
And hope for calm and sweet repose.

MORNING ANTICIPATIONS. O Morning, how cheerful thy light, How gladden'd the heart feels by thee, When, rous'd from the slumbers of night, The glories of day-light we see !

But 'tis not for pleasure alone,

Recollection and sunshine return,
There is labour and good to be done,
There is virtue and knowledge to learn.

In vain are we bless'd with thy aid,
If idly we let thee pass by;
Each day has its debts to be paid,
Some claim that we cannot deny.

Thus when from our pillow we rise,
And acknowledge the blessing of light,

'If we wish to be happy and wise,

We have only to do what is right.

TRUE MERIT NEEDS NO ORNAMENT.

CHILDREN of pride, why turn away

From those of humbler class?
Think you that garments rich and gay
Will make your folly pass?

Merit and virtue are not vain ;

They wear no gay disguise:
The truly good, however plain,
Will not escape our eyes.

And think, with all this gaudy show,
What is the end of all;

The proud, the humble, high and low,

To dust, to nothing fall!

However great in life we seem,

Upheld by wealth and fame,

Death will dissolve the flattering dream, And then-what is your claim?

Say what distinction then will be

Reserv'd for you alone?

Say what superiority?

Reflection tells us-none.

Then cast aside this useless pride,
Nor hoard thy worldly pelf;
For charity thy sins shall hide,
And make thee know thyself.

BROTHERLY LOVE.

WHAT is more lovely to behold,
Than kindred link'd in love?

"Tis a rich sight worth more than gold, And more the heart doth move.

To see a boy of Philip's age,
Expert in youthful sports,
Who with his equals can engage,
And all that's manly courts;

To see him quit the blithest play
At little Edwin's call,

Or lead him through the rugged way,
Lest the young urchin fall.

It does not make him childish seem,
The motives are too good;

Such conduct gains him more esteem,
When rightly understood.

His own convenience ever yields,
When he can serve another;

The young and weak he tries to shield,
Especially his brother.

With him young Edwin feels a king,
Whom none would dare offend;

His sisters to their Philip cling,
As brother, guide, and friend.

Fraternal love their bosoms warms,
In one fair path they walk;
Like flowers bearing kindred forms,
And growing on one stalk.

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