There scatter'd oft, the earliest of the year, And light footsteps lightly print the ground. b. GRAY-Elegy. Last St. (Early Edition.) Bearing His cross, while Christ passed forth forlorn, His God-like forehead by the mock crown torn, A little bird took from that crown one thorn. To soothe the dear Redeemer's throbbing head, That bird did what she could; His blood 'tis said, Down dropping, dyed her tender bosom red. Since then no wanton boy disturbs her nest; Weasel nor wild cat will her young molest; All sacred deem the bird of ruddy breast. C. HOSKYNS-ABRAHALL-The Redbreast, The sobered robin, hunger-silent now, Poor robin, driven in by rain-storms wild Who only knows that he is all alone e. D. M. MULOCK-Summer Gone. St. 2. On fair Brittannia's isle, bright bird, A legend strange is told of thee,-'Tis said thy blithesome song was hushed While Christ toiled up Mount Calvary, Bowed 'neath the sins of all mankind; And humbled to the very dust By the vile cross, while viler man Mocked with a crown of thorns the Just. Pierced by our sorrows, and weighed down By our transgressions,-faint, and weak, Crushed by an angry Judge's frown, And agonies no word can speak,'Twas then, dear bird, the legend says That thou, from out His crown, didst tear The thorns, to lighten the distress, And ease the pain that he must bear, While pendant from thy tiny beak The gory points thy bosom pressed, And crimsoned with thy Saviour's blood The sober brownness of thy breast! Since which proud hour for thee and thine, As an especial sign of grace God pours like sacramental wine Bed signs of favor o'er thy race! f. DELLE W. NORTON-To the Robin Redbreast. When Jesus hung upon the cross N. Look back swallow, turn back swallow, stop |