Then he flew to the mountain and powdered its crest,
He lit on the trees, and their boughs he dress'd
In diamond beads-and over the breast

Of the quivering lake, he spread
A coat of mail, that need not fear
The downward point of many a spear,
That he hung on its margin, far and near,
Where a rock could rear its head.

He went to the window of those who slept,
And over each pane, like a fairy, crept;
Wherever he breath'd, wherever he stepp'd,
By the light of the moon were seen

Most beautiful things! there were flowers and trees;
There were bevies of birds, and swarms of bees;
There were cities with temples and towers, and these
All pictured in silver sheen!

But he did one thing, that was hardly fair;
He peep'd in the cupboard, and finding there
That all had forgotten for him to prepare,
"Now just to set them a thinking,
I'll bite this basket of fruit," said he,
"This costly pitcher I'll burst in three;
And this glass of water they 've left for me

Shall 'tchick!' to tell them I'm drinking!"

LESSON LIX.

THE ARK AND THE DOVE.

THERE was a noble ark, Sailing o'er waters dark, And wide around;

Not one tall tree was seen, Nor flow'r, nor leaf of green:

Sea without bound!

Then a soft wing was spread,
And o'er the billows dread,
A meek dove flew;
But on that shoreless tide,
No living thing she spied
To cheer her view.

So to the ark she fled,
With weary, drooping head,
To seek for rest:

Christ is the ark, my love,-
Thou art the tender dove,-
Fly to His breast.

A

LESSON LX.

THE PEACH.

FARMER brought to his children five beautiful peaches. They saw this fruit for the first time, and they were enchanted with the lovely peaches, with rosy cheeks and velvet down. The father gave one to each of his four children, and the fifth to his wife.

In the evening, as they were retiring to rest, he asked, "Now, how have you liked your beautiful peaches?"

"Very much, dear father," said the eldest; "so acid and so soft! I have kept the stone of mine that I may have a tree of my own."

"Well done!" said the father, "that was thoughtful, and you will make a good farmer."

"I," said the youngest, "have eaten mine, but I threw away the stone. My mother gave me besides, half of hers. Oh! it tasted so sweet and melting!"

"You have not done well," said the father, "and yet it was natural, for greediness is common to children."

Then began the second son, "I have cracked the stone which my little brother threw away, and there was a kernel inside which tasted like a nut. As for my peach, I sold it for as much as will buy twelve when I go to town."

But the father shook his head. "Pray to God," said he, "to keep you from the sin of covetousness.

And you, Edward ?" "I have given mine to George, our neighbour's son, who has lain so long in a fever." "Now," asked the father, "who has enjoyed his peach the most?"

The three others cried out, "Brother Edward!" but he alone was silent, and his mother kissed him with tears in her eyes.

LESSON LXI.

THE ROSE.

HOW fair is the rose! what a beautiful flower! The glory of April and May!

But the leaves are beginning to fade in an hour, And they wither and die in a day.

Yet the rose has one powerful virtue to boast,
Above all the flowers of the field;

When its leaves are all dead, and its fine colours lost,
Still how sweet a perfume it will yield!

So frail is the youth and the beauty of men, Though they bloom and look gay like the rose; But all our fond care to preserve them is vain, Time kills them as fast as he goes.

Then I'll not be proud of my youth nor my beauty,
Since both of them wither and fade;

But gain a good name by well doing my duty;
This will scent like a rose when I'm dead.

LESSON LXII.

A CHILD'S EVENING PRAYER.

BRIGHT little star on the evening's breast,

How beams thy golden light?

Fast thou art sinking in the west;
Sweet little star, good night!

And I, when I have bent my knee,
And said my evening prayer
To Him who made both thee and me,
Shall to my rest repair.

And thinking on that brighter star,
That once o'er Bethlehem rose,
And eastern sages led from far,
Ill sink to sweet repose.

And oh, when I at last shall lie
In death's cold slumber down,
Then may my spirit shine on high,
A star in Jesu's crown.