My thoughts on former pleasures ran ;
I thought of Kilve's delightful shore,
My pleasant home, when spring began,
A long, long year before.

A day it was when I could bear

To think, and think, and think again;
With so much happiness to spare,

I could not feel a pain.

My boy was by my side, so slim

And graceful in his rustic dress!

And oftentimes I talked to him,
In very idleness.

The

young lambs ran a pretty race; The morning sun shone bright and warm; "Kilve," said I, "was a pleasant place, "And so is Liswyn farm.

r

My little boy, which like you more,"

I said and took him by the arm

"Our home by Kilve's delightful shore,

"Or here at Liswyn farm ?"

"And tell

me, had you rather be,"

I said and held him by the arm,

"At Kilve's smooth shore by the green sea, "Or here at Liswyn farm?

In careless mood he looked at me,
While still I held him by the arm,

And said, "At Kilve I'd rather be
"Than here at Liswyn farm."

"Now, little Edward, say why so;
My little Edward, tell me why;"
"I cannot tell, I do not know."

"For, here are woods and green-hills warm ;

"There surely muft some reason be

"Why you would change sweet Liswyn farm

"For Kilve by the green sea."

At this, my boy, so fair and slim,
Hung down his head, nor made reply;
And five times did I say to him,
"Why? Edward, tell me why?"

His head he raised-there was in sight,
It caught his eye, he saw it plain-
Upon the house-top, glittering bright,
A broad and gilded vane.

Then did the boy his tongue unlock,
And thus to me he made reply;

"At Kilve there was no weather-cock,

"And that's the reason why."

Oh dearest, dearest boy! my heart For better lore would seldom yearn, Could I but teach the hundredth part Of what from thee I learn.

WE ARE SEVEN.

A simple child, dear brother Jim,
That lightly draws its breath,
And feels its life in every limb,

What should it know of death?

I met a little cottage girl,

She was eight years old, she said;

Her hair was thick with many a curl

That cluster'd round her head.

She had a rustic, woodland air,

And she was wildly clad;

Her eyes were fair, and

very fair,

-Her beauty made me glad.