THE LITTLE LAMB.

I saw a little lamb to-day,
It was not very old;
Close by its mother's side it lay,
So soft within the fold:
It felt no sorrow, pain, or fear,
While such a comforter was near.

Sweet little lamb, you cannot know
What blessing I have lost:
Were you like me, what could you do,
Amid the wintry frost?
My clothes are thin, my food is poor,
And I must beg from door to door.

I had a mother once, like you,
To keep me by her side:
She cherish'd me and lov'd me too;
But soon, alas! she died:
Now sorrowful and full of care,
I'm lone and weary every where.

My father was not kind to me,
He went away from home;
I long'd again his face to see,
But he would never come:
Before he died he would be found
Sleeping upon the naked ground.

I must not weep and break my heart,
They tell me not to grieve:
Sometimes I wish I could depart,
And find a peaceful grave:
They say such sorrows never come
To those who slumber in the tomb.

'Twas thus a little orphan sung,
Her lonely heart to cheer;
Before she wander'd very long,
She found a Savior near:
He bade her seek his smiling face
And find in heav'n a dwelling place.