I could not find the little maid Content, So out I rushed, and sought her far and wide; But not where Pleasure each new fancy tried, Heading the maze of rioting merriment, Nor where, with restless eyes and bow half bent, Love in the brake of sweetbriar smiled and sighed, Nor yet where Fame towered, crowned and glorified, Found I her face, nor wheresoe'er I went. So homeward back I crawled, like wounded bird, When lo! Content sate spinning at my door; And when I asked her where she was before-- "Here all the time," she said; "I never stirred; Too eager in thy search, you passed me o'er, And, though I called you, neither saw nor heard." --Alfred Austin. DAILY STRENGTH Day by day the manna fell; O to learn this lesson well; Still by constant mercy fed, Give me, Lord, my daily bread. "Day by day," the promise reads; Daily strength for daily needs; Cast foreboding fears away; Take the manna of to-day. Lord, my times are in thy hand. All my sanguine hopes have planned To thy wisdom I resign, And would make thy purpose thine. Thou my daily task shalt give; Day by day to Thee I live; So shall added years fulfill Not my own--my Father's will. Fond ambition, whisper not; Happy is my humble lot; Anxious, busy cares away; I'm provided for to-day. O to live exempt from care By the energy of prayer; Strong in faith, with mind subdued, Yet elate with gratitude. --Josiah Conder. GOD IS ENOUGH God is enough! thou, who in hope and fear Toilest through desert sands of life, sore tried, Climb, trustful, over death's black ridge, for near The bright wells shine; thou wilt be satisfied. God doth suffice! O thou, the patient one, Who puttest faith in him, and none beside, Bear yet thy load; under the setting sun The glad tents gleam; thou wilt be satisfied By God's gold Afternoon! peace ye shall have; Man is in loss except he live aright, And help his fellow to be firm and brave, Faithful and patient; then the restful night. --Edwin Arnold, from the Arabian. THE TRULY RICH They're richer who diminish their desires, Though their possessions be not amplified, Than monarchs, who in owning large empires, Have minds that never will be satisfied. For he is poor who wants what he would have, And rich who, having naught, doth nothing crave. --T. Urchard. THY ALLOTMENT