Then who shall say this world is dull,
And all to sadness given,
While yet there grows on every side,
The smile that came from heaven?
If so much loveliness is sent
To grace our earthly home,
How beautiful! how beautiful!
Will be the world to come.
DON’T KILL THE BIRDS.
Don’t kill the birds!—the little birds,
That sing about your door,
Soon as the joyous spring has come,
And chilling storms are o’er.
The little birds!—how sweet they sing!
Oh! let them joyous live;
And do not seek to take the life
Which you can never give.
Don’t kill the birds!—the pretty birds,
That play among the trees!
’Twould make the earth a cheerless place,
Should we dispense with these.
Don’t kill the birds!—the happy birds,
That bless the field and grove;
So innocent to look upon,—
They claim our warmest love.
LITTLE ACTS OF KINDNESS.
Little acts of kindness,
Trifling though they are,
How they serve to brighten
This dark world of care!
Little acts of kindness,
Oh, how potent they,
To dispel the shadows
Of life’s cloudy day.
Little acts of kindness,
How they cheer the heart!
What a world of gladness
Will a smile impart!
How a gentle accent
Calms the troubled soul,
When the waves of passion
O’er it wildly roll!