220 LIGHT ON THE MOUNTAIN-TOPS. LIGHT ON THE MOUNTAIN-TOPS. IN Alpine valleys, they who watch for dawn eyes On loftier mountain-peaks of snow, which rise Before the happy morn H. H. TIME TO GO. 221 TIME TO GO. THEY know the time to go! The fairy clocks strike their inaudible hour And hastes to bed. The pale Anemone Glides on her way with scarcely a good-night; Drop their last courtesies, Flit from the scene, and couch them for their rest; The Meadow Lily folds her scarlet vest And hides it 'neath the Grasses' lengthening green, Fair and serene. Her sister Lily floats On the blue pond and raises golden eyes To find repose 222 TIME TO GO. In the cool depths below. A little later, and the Asters blue. Depart in crowds, a brave and cheery crew; While Golden Rod, still wide awake and gay,. Furls his bright parasol, And, like a little hero, meets his fate. The Gentians, very proud to sit up late, Next follow. Every Fern is tucked and set 'Neath coverlet, Downy and soft and warm. No little seedling voice is heard to grieve Teach us your patience, brave, Dear flowers, till we shall dare to part like you, Willing God's will, sure that His clock strikes true, That His sweet day augurs a sweeter morrow, With smiles, not sorrow. SUSAN COOLIDGE. SOME MURMUR. 223 SOME MURMUR. SOME murmur when their sky is clear, If one small speck of dark appear In their great heaven of blue. The darkness of their night. In palaces are hearts that ask, How love has in their aid (Love that not ever seems to tire) Such rich provision made. R. C. TRENCH.. 224 THE WOUNDED CURLEW. THE WOUNDED CURLEW. By yonder sandy cove where, every day, A lonely bird in sober brown and grey And round the basin's edge, o'er stones and sand, And many a fringing weed, He steals, or on the rocky ledge doth stand, But sometimes from the distance he can hear His comrades' swift reply; Sometimes the air rings with their music clear, And then, O then his tender voice, so sweet, For broken are his pinions strong and fleet, Wounded and lame and languishing he lives, Once glad and blithe and free, |