e.
--_Henry Wadsworth Longfellow_.

By permission of Houghton, Mifflin & Co.

{448}

KINDNESS

A little word in kindness spoken,
A motion or a tear,
Has often healed the heart that's broken,
And made a friend sincere.

A word--a look--has crushed to earth
Full many a budding flower,
Which, had a smile but owned its birth,
Would bless life's darkest hour.

Then deem it not an idle thing
A pleasant word to speak;
The face you wear, the thoughts you bring,
A heart may heal or break.
--_Colesworthy_.

{449}{450}

[Illustration]
MADONNA
By Murillo (1618-1682)

"Bright angels are around thee,
They that have served thee from thy birth are there;
Their hands with stars have crowned thee;
Thou, peerless Queen of Air,
As sandals to thy feet the silver moon doth wear."
--_Henry Wadsworth Longfellow_.
[End illustration]

{451}

PERSEVERANCE

A swallow in the spring
Came to our granary, and 'neath the eaves
Essayed to make her nest, and there did bring
Wet earth, and straw, and leaves.

Day after day she toiled
With patient art; but ere her work was crowned
Some sad mishap the tiny fabric spoiled
And dashed it to the ground.

She found the ruin wrought;
Yet not cast down, forth from her place she flew
And with her mate fresh earth and grasses brought
And built her nest anew.

But scarcely had she placed
The last soft feather on its ample floor,
When wicked hands, or chance, again laid waste,
And wrought the ruin o'er.

But still her heart she kept
And toiled again; and, last night hearing calls,
I looked, and lo! three little swallows slept
Within the earth-made walls.

What trust is here, O man!
Hath Hope been smitten in its early dawn?
Have clouds o'ercast thy purpose, trust, or plan?
Have faith, and struggle on!

{452}

THE LIGHT OF STARS

The night is come, but not too soon;
And sinking silently,
All silently, the little moon
Drops down behind the sky.

There is no light in earth or heaven,
But the cold light of stars;
And the first watch of night is given
To the red planet Mars.

Is it the tender star of love?
The star of love and dreams?
O no! from that blue tent above
A hero's armor gleams.

And earnest t