et a dove
Ah, much more rare is!

She's anything but dove, good sooth!
But she's his dear and only sister:
And, had she been a boy, in truth
How he'd have missed her.

So, gradually her folly dies,
And she'll consent to be just human,
When there shines out of girlish eyes
The real Woman.

AGNES AT PRAYER

"OUR Father which art in heaven,"
Little Agnes prays,
Though her kneeling is but show,
Though she is too young to know
All, or half she says.
God will hear her, Agnes mild,
God will love the innocent child.

"Our Father which art in heaven."
She has a father here,
Does she think of his kind eyes,
Tones that ne'er in anger rise--
"Yes, dear," or "No, dear."
They will haunt her whole life long
Like a sweet pathetic song.

"Our Father which art in heaven,"
Through thy peaceful prayer,
Think of the known father's face,
Of his bosom, happy place;
Safely sheltered there;
And so blessed--long may He bless!
Think too of the fatherless.

GOING TO WORK

COME along for the work is ready--
Rough it may be, rough, tough and hard--
But--fourteen years old--stout, strong and steady,
Life's game's beginning, lad!--play your card--
Come along.

Mother stands at the door-step crying
Well but she has a brave heart too:
She'll try to be glad--there's nought like trying,
She's proud of having a son like you.
Come along.

Young as she is, her hair is whitening,
She has ploughed thro' years of sorrow deep,
She looks at her boy, and her eyes are brightening,
Shame if ever you make them weep!
Come along.

Bravo! See how the brown cheek flushes!
Ready to work as hard as you can?
I have always faith in a boy that blushes,
None will blush for him, when he's a man.
Come along.

THREE COMPANIONS

WE go on our way together,
Baby, and dog, and I;
Three merry companions,
'Neath any sort of sky;
Blue as her pretty eyes are,
Or gray, like his dear old tail;
Be it windy, or cloudy, or stormy