Who has fathomed 1 the deep, deep sea, None, none but God. He made them all, The stars and flowers, the sands and trees, The sea is deep, and reaches far, * 90 * VIOLETS. UNDER the green hedges, after the snow, Sweet as the roses, and blue as the sky, Hiding their heads where they scarce may be seen; By the leaves you may know where the violet hath been. 1 fathomed, found out the depth of. M. MOULTRIE. * 91 * GOD SEES ME. THROUGH all the busy daylight, through all the quiet night, Whether the stars are in the sky, or the sun is shining bright, In the nursery, in the parlor, in the street, or on the stair, Though I may seem to be alone, yet God is always there. Whatever I may do, Wherever I may be, He knows each word I mean to speak, before the word is spoken ; He knows the thoughts within my heart, although I give no token.1 When I am naughty, then I grieve my Heavenly Father's love; And, every time I really try, he helps me from above. Whatever I may do, Wherever I may be, Although I see him not, Yet God sees me. 1 token, sign, that which serves to point out or show any thing. * 92 * THE TRUTHFUL PART. O FATHER, bless a little child, May never falsehood in her heart, * 93 * FLOWERS ARE BLOOMING. THE flowers are blooming everywhere, And, oh, how beautiful they are! The little birds, they spring along, I love to hear their pleasant song, The young lambs bleat and frisk about; The butterflies are coming out; 'Tis good to be alive. 1 abide, stay, be present. 2 betide, happen. * 94 * THE PET LAMB. STORM upon the mountain, Storm upon the mountain, Rainy torrents beating, Down the glen1 the shepherd Drives his flock afar; Through the murky 2 mist and cloud Never hears the moan Of the pretty snow-white lamb At the shepherd's doorway Stands his little son, Sees the sheep come trooping home, Counts them one by one, Counts them full and fairly; 1 glen, deep narrow valley. 2 murky, black, gloomy. 3 beacon, guiding. Up the glen he races, Breasts the bitter wind, Scours across the plain, and leaves Wood and wold behind. Storm upon the mountain, Night upon his throne; Struggling, panting, sobbing, Soon, within his bosom, All its bleatings done, Oh the happy faces By the shepherd's fire! High without the tempest roars; Make that joy their own; 1 breasts, faces, bears the breast against. 2 3 wold, a tract of hilly land. scours, runs swiftly. |