LXXXVIII.-LITTLE BY LITTLE.

ANONYMOUS.

1. Little by little the bird builds her nest; Little by little the sun sinks to rest;

Little by little the waves in their glee

Smooth the rough rocks by the shore of the sea. 2. Drop after drop falls the soft summer shower; Leaf upon leaf grows the cool forest bower; Grain heaped on grain forms the mountain so high That its cloud-capped summit is lost to the eye.

3. Little by little the bee to her cell

Brings the sweet honey, and garners it well;
Little by little the ant layeth by,

From the summer's abundance, the winter's supply.

4. Minute by minute, so passes the day;
Hour after hour years are gliding away.
The moments improve until life shall be past,
And, little by little, grow wise to the last.