Mother Truth's Melodies. Common Sense For Children. A Kindergarten — John Stuart Mill — John Shaqi
Mother Truth's Melodies. Common Sense For Children. A Kindergarten
John Stuart Mill · en
So the judges and the wise men
Came with Jethro, Midian's priest,
Who, with wish to save young Moses,
Thus his majesty addressed:
"If it to the king be pleasing,
Fetch two plates, and we will hold
Them before the babe, a-brimming,
One with fire, and one with gold.
"If the child shall grasp the golden,
He hath done this knowingly;
He will trample on thy statutes;
For thine honor he must die.
"But if he shall grasp the other,
Know, O King, he knoweth nought
Of a royal crown or scepter,--
And his life with fire is bought."
These wise words, the king approving,
Plate of fire and plate of gold,
Courtiers brought, and screams of anguish,
Soon the childish choosing told.
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For he, baby-like, had thrust it
In his mouth; and though he flung
Quick the coal, he ever after
Spake with slow and stammering tongue.
[Footnote: Exodus IV:10]
* * * * *
Charming 'tis to see
Children who agree;
Chaste, and choice, and cheery,
Chiming in so merry,
Childlike, ever;
Churlish, never.
Championing the good;
Challenging the rude;
Chary as the dove;
Chief in Jesus' love.
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_THE CHILDREN'S RAILROAD._
Old Time has built a Railroad,
On which you children speed
To a land of light and plenty,
Or a land of darksome need;
And soon you'll come to a meadow,
Where two tracks mark the way,
But they'll run close up alongside
For many and many a day.
And one is strewn with roses,
While one looks bleak and bare,
With now and then a berry-bush,
And a violet here and there;--
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On one you'll find companions
Who but for pleasure seek,
While friends along the other,
Will words of wisdom speak.
Be careful in your choosing,
For if you take the _Right_,
You will travel in the shadow
Of the Rock that shields at night;
'T will lead through greenest pastures
Where softest brooklets flow,
And land you at a Station
That is full of cheer and glow.
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On the other track, the roses
Are backed by sharpest thorns;
While berries always nourish,
And the violet but adorns;--
You will stumble into sluices,
And what is worse than all,
Your self-respect and conscience
Grow weak with every fall.
Yes, if you choose the other
That looks so bright and gay,
You'll find the bridges broken,
And the road-bed washed away;
And when you near the Station,
You'll switch to a fearful leap,
That will hurl you into darkness,
And bury you in the deep.
But those who choose the Right one
Grow manly, womanly, true;
God's love-light shines upon them,
And falls as heavenly dew;--
They grieve at your wild folly,
And will gladly help you back,
If at any curve or turning
You seek the trusty track.
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