quite near And set Love 'mid life's common things and dear--   Mute would the voice be, Love would be too fair To waste upon the wide world's empty air, And, songless, I should droop and vainly pine--   I could not sing of Love if you were mine! E. Nesbit.

 VIII.

I know the way she went Home with her maiden posy, For her feet have touch'd the meadows And left the daisies rosy.

   Tennyson. 

     IX. golden radiance shines, And day declines; Red in the dying sun, Day's course is run;   And weary labourers have home-    ward gone, Their day's work done.

 The cornfield now is still, To-morrow will Bring back the men who reap:   But now asleep The woods and fields and meadows seem to lie--    Restful as I. E. Nesbit.

X.

As a twig trembles which a bird Lights on to sing, then leaves unbent, So is my memory thrilled and stirred; I only know she came and went.

  As at one bound, our swift Spring heaps The orchard full of bloom and scent, So clove her May my wintry sleeps;--    I only know she came and went.

  An angel stood and met my gaze Through the low doorway of my tent; The tent is struck, the vision stays;--    I only know she came and went.

Oh, when the room grows slowly dim, And life's last oil is nearly spent, One gush of light these eyes will brim, Only to think she came and went. J.R. Lowell. 

XI.

EVENING SONG.

   Waking, I dream of thy life that shall be Never by sorrow made weary; Earth shall be soft with love for thee, Down-lined the nest of my dearie. Millions of flowers to gladden thy way, Springing from seeds that my heart sets to-day. Sleep, darling baby, baby!

   Sleeping, dream thou of the Spirit of Spring--    Of sweets and of scents she is bringing; Just for the flowers' sake thrushes will sing, Flowers blow for love of the singing. In the world's harmony take thou thy part, So shall the springtide bloom in thy heart! Sleep, darling baby, baby! E. Nesbit. 

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