Poetry. AN OLD SAW.

Waikato Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1571, 29 July 1882, Page 5

Poetry. AN OLD SAW.

BY CELIA THAXTER.

A dear little maid came skipping cut In the glad new day with a merry shout ; ' jVith dancing feet and with flying f l ', hair r She sang with joy in the morning air. ," Don't Bing before breakfast, you'll cry before night." ' jWhat a croak, to darken the child's de- .< . light 1 •And the stupid old nurse, again and again, .Repeated the ancient, dull refrain. <The child paused, trying to understand ; Bat her eyes saw the great world rain-bow-spanned ; Her light little feet hardly touched the earth, And her soul brimmed over with innocent mirth. "Never mmd — don't listen — 0 sweet little maid 'Make sure of your morning song," I said ; " And if pain must meet you, why, all the more Bo glad of the rapture that conies before " 0, tears and sorrow are plenty enough, Storms may be bitter and paths may be rough ; But our tears should fall like the dear earth's Bhowers. That help to ripen the fruit and flowers. •' So gladden the day with your listful song, Sing on while you may, dear, sweet and strong ; Make euro of your moment of pure delight, •No matter what trial may come before night." — Detroit Free Press.