Said he, "You cannot go to Morrow any more to-day, For the train that goes to Morrow is a mile upon its way."
FINALE
I was so disappointed I was mad enough to swear; The train had gone to Morrow and had left me standing there.
The man was right in telling me I was a howling jay; I didn"t go to Morrow, so I guess I"ll go to-day.
Out in the Fields
The little cares that fretted me, I lost them yesterday Among the fields above the seas, Among the winds at play; Among the lowing of the herds, The rustling of the trees, Among the singing of the birds, The humming of the bees.
The foolish fears of what might happen,-- I cast them all away Among the clover-scented gra.s.s, Among the new-mown hay; Among the husking of the corn, Where drowsy poppies nod, Where ill thoughts die and good are born, Out in the fields with G.o.d.
_Elizabeth Barrett Browning._
The Bluebird"s Song
I know the song that the bluebird is singing, Out in the apple tree where he is swinging.
Brave little fellow! the skies may be dreary-- Nothing cares he while his heart is so cheery.
Hark! how the music leaps out from his throat!
Hark! was there ever so merry a note?
Listen a while, and you"ll hear what he"s saying, Up in the apple tree swinging and swaying.
"Dear little blossoms down under the snow, You must be weary of winter I know.
Listen, I"ll sing you a message of cheer!
Summer is coming! and springtime is here!
"Little white snowdrop! I pray you arise; Bright yellow crocus! please open your eyes; Sweet little violets, hid from the cold, Put on your mantles of purple and gold; Daffodils! Daffodils! say, do you hear?-- Summer is coming, and springtime is here!"
_Emily Huntington Miller._
The Main Truck, or a Leap for Life
Old Ironsides at anchor lay, In the harbor of Mahon; A dead calm rested on the bay,-- The waves to sleep had gone; When little Hal, the Captain"s son, A lad both brave and good, In sport, up shroud and rigging ran, And on the main truck stood!
A shudder shot through every vein,-- All eyes were turned on high!
There stood the boy, with dizzy brain, Between the sea and sky; No hold had he above, below; Alone he stood in air: To that far height none dared to go,-- No aid could reach him there.
We gazed, but not a man could speak,-- With horror all aghast,-- In groups, with pallid brow and cheek,-- We watched the quivering mast.
The atmosphere grew thick and hot, And of a lurid hue;-- As riveted unto the spot, Stood officers and crew.
The father came on deck:--he gasped, "Oh, G.o.d; thy will be done!"
Then suddenly a rifle grasped, And aimed it at his son.
"Jump, far out, boy, into the wave!
Jump, or I fire," he said; "That only chance your life can save; Jump, jump, boy!" He obeyed.
He sunk,--he rose,--he lived,--he moved,-- And for the ship struck out.
On board we hailed the lad beloved, With many a manly shout.
His father drew, in silent joy, Those wet arms round his neck, And folded to his heart his boy,-- Then fainted on the deck.
_Morris._
The Arrow and the Song
I shot an arrow into the air, It fell to earth, I knew not where; For, so swiftly it flew, the sight Could not follow it in its flight.
I breathed a song into the air, It fell to earth, I knew not where; For who has sight so keen and strong, That it can follow the flight of song?
Long, long afterward, in an oak I found the arrow, still unbroke; And the song, from beginning to end, I found again in the heart of a friend.
_H.W. Longfellow._
The Green Mountain Justice
"The snow is deep," the Justice said; "There"s mighty mischief overhead."
"High talk, indeed!" his wife exclaimed; "What, sir! shall Providence be blamed?"
The Justice, laughing, said, "Oh no!
I only meant the loads of snow Upon the roofs. The barn is weak; I greatly fear the roof will break.
So hand me up the spade, my dear, I"ll mount the barn, the roof to clear."
"No!" said the wife; "the barn is high, And if you slip, and fall, and die, How will my living be secured?-- Stephen, your life is not insured.
But tie a rope your waist around, And it will hold you safe and sound."
"I will," said he. "Now for the roof-- All snugly tied, and danger-proof!
Excelsior! Excel--But no!
The rope is not secured below!"
Said Rachel, "Climb, the end to throw Across the top, and I will go And tie that end around my waist."
"Well, every woman to her taste; You always would be tightly laced.
Rachel, when you became my bride, I thought the knot securely tied; But lest the bond should break in twain, I"ll have it fastened once again."
Below the arm-pits tied around, She takes her station on the ground, While on the roof, beyond the ridge, He shovels clear the lower edge.