We are sending you, dear flowers

Brighter shone the golden shadows;On the cool wind softly cameThe low, sweet tones of happy flowers,Singing little Violet’s name.‘Mong the green trees was it whispered,And the bright waves bore it onTo the lonely forest flowers,Where the glad news had not gone.Thus the Frost-King lost his kingdom,And his power to harm and blight.Violet conquered, and his…

With your green and purple cupUpturned to sun and air?‘I bloom, blithesome Bessie,To cheer your childish heart;The world is full of labor,And this shall be my part.’Whirl, busy wheel, faster,Spin, little thread, spin;The sun shines fair without,And we are gay within.O robin in the tree-top,With sunshine on your breast,Why brood you so patientlyAbove your hidden…

Where your gentle sisters may not weepO’er the cold graves where you lie;But you go to bring them fadeless lifeIn the bright homes where they dwell,And you softly smile that’t is so,As we sadly sing farewell.O plead with gentle words for us,And whisper tenderlyOf generous love to that cold heart,And it will answer ye;And though…

Beds to the left of them,Nobody blundered.Beamed at by hungry souls,Screamed at with brimming bowls,Steamed at by army rolls,Buttered and sundered.With coffee not cannon plied,Each must be satisfied,Whether they lived or died;All the men wondered.’

And very hard I find the taskof governing it well;For passion tempts and troubles me,A wayward will misleads,And selfishness its shadow castsOn all my words and deeds.How can I learn to rule myself,to be the child I should,Honest and brave, nor ever tireOf trying to be good?How can I keep a sunny soulTo shine along…

It’s lovely and coolOut here in the pool;On a lily-pad floatFor a nice green boat.Here we sit and singIn a pleasant ring;Or leap frog play,In the jolliest way.Our games have begun,Come join in the fun.’

He that is humble ever shallHave God to be his guide.I am content with what I have,Little be it, or much.And, Lord! Contentment still I crave,Because Thou savest such.Fulness to them a burden is,That go on pilgrimage.Here little, and hereafter bliss,Is best from age to age!

One week in all the year,Making winter springWith the joy we bring,For Christmas-tide is here.Now the eastern starShines from afarTo light the poorest home;Hearts warmer grow,Gifts freely flow,For Christmas-tide has come.Now gay trees riseBefore young eyes,Abloom with tempting cheer;Blithe voices sing,And blithe bells ring,For Christmas-tide is here.Oh, happy chime,Oh, blessed time,That draws us all so…

The low, sweet tones of happy flowers,Singing little Violet’s name.‘Mong the green trees was it whispered,And the bright waves bore it onTo the lonely forest flowers,Where the glad news had not gone.Thus the Frost-King lost his kingdom,And his power to harm and blight.Violet conquered, and his cold heartWarmed with music, love, and light;And his fair…

Beneath a motherly soft wingA little goose was born.Who straightway peeped out of the shellTo view the world beyond,Longing at once to sally forthAnd paddle in the pond.‘Oh! be not rash,’ her father said,A mild Socratic bird;Her mother begged her not to strayWith many a warning word.But little goosey was perverse,And eagerly did cry,‘I’ve got…

For the dear God who loveth us,He made and loveth all.’

For never more by the fire she’ll sit,Nor play by the old green gate.The little grave where her infant sleepsIs ‘neath the chestnut tree.But o’er her grave we may not weep,We know not where it may be.Her empty bed, her idle ball,Will never see her more;No gentle tap, no loving purrIs heard at the parlor…

To be placedFore damask roses.Yet, though thus respected,By and byYe do lie,Poor girls, neglected.’

Where birds, and bees, and butterflies,Would sing upon the hill.’

Soft is the summer air;Gayly the wood-birds sing,Flowers are blooming fair.But, deep in the dark, cold rock,Sadly I dwell,Longing for thee, dear friend,Lily-Bell! Lily-Bell!Lily-Bell replies:Through sunlight and summer airI have sought for thee long,Guided by birds and flowers,And now by thy song.Thistledown! Thistledown!O’er hill and dellHither to comfort theeComes Lily-Bell.

We are glad to see you here,For you sing ‘Sweet Spring is near.’Now the white snow melts away;Now the flowers blossom gay:Come dear bird and build your nest,For we love our robin best.

The waves at its feetDancing merrily.A little bubbleOnce came sailing by,And thus to the rockDid it gayly cry,–‘Ho! clumsy brown stone,Quick, make way for me:I’m the fairest thingThat floats on the sea.‘See my rainbow-robe,See my crown of light,My glittering form,So airy and bright.‘O’er the waters blue,I’m floating away,To dance by the shoreWith the foam and…

Where green old trees their branches waved,And winds went singing by;Where a little brook went ripplingSo musically low,And passing clouds cast shadowsOn the waving grass below;Where low, sweet notes of brooding birdsStole out on the fragrant air,And golden sunlight shone undimmedOn all most fresh and fair;–There bloomed a lovely sisterhoodOf happy little flowers,Together in this…