Happy children love in the grass to play, Thick and soft for their dancing feet; And there the wild bees gather honey all day From the clover so blushing and sweet, And find no stores that the garden can yield Are richer than those from the grass of the field. The lark makes his nest in the twining grass, And methinks when he soars to the skies, And sings the clear notes that all others surpass, His gladness must surely arise From the lowly content of that innocent breast, Which finds in the grass of the field a safe nest. There are few who notice the delicate flower That blooms in the grass at their feet, Yet the proudest plant in the greenhouse or bower Is not fairer, or more complete; And to those who observe—it is clearly revealed That God clothes with beauty the grass of the field. The mower comes out so busy and blythe, At the dawn of a summer’s day, And the tall waving grass at the stroke of his scythe Is cut down and withers away: But the fragrance it sends over valley and hill Makes the grass of the field loved and lovely still. And while on the perishing grass we look, A soft voice in the summer wind Will whisper the words of the Holy Book To the humble and thoughtful mind. “All flesh is as grass,” it will seem to say— “Like the flower of the grass ye shall pass away.” But oh! we will hope with a faith secure— Through the years of this mortal strife— On the words of the Lord, which forever endure, For in them is eternal life: Thus lessons of truth all our pleasures will yield, And wisdom we’ll learn from the grass of the field. * * * * * TO AN ABSENT SISTER. BY MRS. MARY G. HORSFORD. Thy natal morn hath dawned again With pure and cloudless ray; May Peace and Hope attend thy steps, Sweet sister, on this day. It is the first that ever found Me severed from thy side, And tears will mingle with my prayer At morn and eventide. For I have yearned to lay my hand In blessing on thy brow, And speak the earnest words of love That stir my spirit now; Have longed, but longed in vain, to meet The dark and sunny eye, That has from childhood been to me A star in every sky. Have sought amid a stranger band The smile I loved so well, And lived in spirit o’er again A sorrowful farewell!