Rather  than  where  the  Saints  are  seen
Each  reigning  in  his  place  serene  : —
If  in  Love's  earthly  home  and  bower
The  mournful  or  the  dangerous  hour  80

Unblam'd  each  prayer  and  longing  guides
To  the  one  couch  where  Pain  abides  : —
He  who  is  Love,  and  owns  Love's  Name,
Is  in  His  ocean  springs  the  same


CHILDREN'S  TROUBLES  305

As  in  each  little  murmuring  brook
That  cheers  soft  mead  or  wayside  nook  :

Brighter  the  joy,  be  sure,
Before  Him,  where  one  sinner  weeps,
Than  where,  in  Heaven's  unchanging  deeps,

A  thousand  orbs  endure.  90


VI
CHILDREN'S   SPORTS

1

GARDENING

He  that  is  faithful  in  that  which  is  least  is  faithful  also  in  much. —
St.  Luke  xvi.  10.
Seest  thou  yon  woodland  child,
How  amid  flowerets  wild,
Wilder  himself,  he  plies  his  pleasure-task  ?
That  ring  of  fragrant  ground,
With  its  low  woodbine  bound.
He  claims :  no  more,  as  yet,  his  Uttle  heart  need  ask.
There  learns  he  flower  and  weed
To  sort  with  careful  heed  :
He  waits  not  for  the  weary  noontide  hour.
There  with  the  soft  night  air  10

Comes  his  refreshing  care  :
Each  tiny  leaf  looks  up,  and  thanks  him  for  the  shower.
Thus  faithful  found  awhile.
He  wins  the  joyous  smile
Of  friend  or  parent :  glad  and  bright  is  he,
When  for  his  garland  gay
He  hears  the  kind  voice  say,
"  Well  hast  thou   wrought,   dear  boy :    the   garden
thine  shall  be."

306


CHILDREN'S  SPORTS  307

And  when  long  years  are  flown,
And  the  proud  word,  Mine  Own,  20

Familiar  sounds,  what  joy  in  field  or  bower
To  view  by  Memory's  aid
Again  that  garden  glade.
