But the thoughts that through her brain
Came and went,

As a recompense for pain,
Angels sent;

So full many a beauteous thing,
In her young soul blossoming,
Gave content.

Every thought was full of grace,
Pure and true;

And in time the homely face
Lovelier grew;

With a heavenly radiance bright,
From the soul's reflected light
Shining through.

So I tell you, little child,

Plain or poor,

If your thoughts are undefiled,
You are sure

Of the loveliness of worth;

And this beauty, not of earth,

Will endure.

MARIA LACEY

204

THE CALL OF THE FLOWERS AND BIRDS

Lo! the lilies of the field,

How their leaves instruction yield!

Hark to Nature's lesson given
By the blessed birds of heaven!
Every bush and tufted tree
Warbles sweet philosophy:

66

Children, fly from doubt and sorrow;

God provideth for the morrow!"

Say, with richer crimson glows

The kingly mantle than the rose?
Say, have kings more wholesome fare
Than we poor citizens of air?

Barns nor hoarded grain have we,
Yet we carol merrily:

66

Children, fly from doubt and sorrow;

God provideth for the morrow!

One there lives whose guardian eye

Guides our humble destiny;

One there lives who, Lord of all,
Keeps His creatures lest they fall.
Pass we blithely then the time,
Fearless of the snare and lime;
Free from doubt and faithless sorrow;
God provideth for the morrow.

REGINALD HEBER

205

DON'T FRET

Has a neighbor injured you?
Don't fret;

You will yet come off the best;
He's the most to answer for;

Never mind it, let it rest;
Don't fret.

Has a wicked lie been told?
Don't fret;

It will run itself to death

If you let it quite alone;

It will die for want of breath;
Don't fret.

Are your enemies at work?

Don't fret;

They can't injure you a whit. If they find you heed them not, They will soon be glad to quit; Don't fret.

Is adversity your lot?

Don't fret;

Fortune's wheel keeps turning round;

Every spoke will reach the top,

Which, like you, is going down.

Don't fret.

ANONYMOUS

206

LET IT PASS

Be not swift to take offence;

Let it pass!

Anger is a foe to sense;

Let it pass!

Brood not darkly o'er a wrong
Which will disappear ere long;

Rather sing this cheery song:

Let it pass

Let it pass!

Strife corrodes the purest mind;

Let it pass!

As the unregarded wind,

Let it pass!

Any vulgar souls that live

May condemn without reprieve;

'Tis the noble who forgive;

Let it pass!

Let it pass!

Echo not an angry word;

Let it pass!

Think how often you have erred;

Let it pass!

Since our joys must pass away

Like the dew-drops on the way, Wherefore should our sorrows stay?

Let it pass!

Let it pass!

If for good you've taken ill,

Let it pass!

O be kind and gentle still;

Let it pass!

Time at last makes all things straight;

Let us not resent, but wait,

And our triumph will be great;

Let it pass!

Let it pass!

Bid your anger to depart;

Let it pass!

Lay these homely words to heart,

Let it pass!

Follow not the giddy throng;

Better to be wronged than wrong;
Therefore sing this cheery song,

Let it pass!

Let it pass!

ANONYMOUS

207

BE CAREFUL

In speaking of a person's faults,
Pray, don't forget your own;
Remember, those with "homes of glass

Should never throw a stone.

If we have nothing else to do
But talk of those who sin,

'Tis better we should think of home,
And from that point begin.