Mother Truth's Melodies Part 33

And here these poor people, so poor they were starving When I found them a few months ago, were now halving Their food and their home with this waif and with Benny-- For he was an orphan child left by his granny, Who died in an attic just over their room, In the tumble-down house they before-time called home; Though they've four of their own, and the eldest is Jenny, The little street-sweep who would not take the penny, Yet they say, "Benny seems quite as much to belong here, And be one of our children, as if he were born here."

O, how many rich homes where no child is given, Might be made, for poor orphans, an opening to Heaven! {337} And how many, poorer, might seem to be rich, With a benny or Bertha to fill up the niche That is left 'neath the hundreds of home-roofs all over.

Which the Lord has designed some poor orphan shall cover; For He makes His home where His children are moored,-- And brings in His wealth where they live by His word; And the meal and the oil there shall never be spent;-- What we give to the poor, to the Lord we have lent.

A baby to feed, is a baby to love, A child in the house, "a well-spring" from above,-- And never forsaken, and ne'er begging bread, Shall be those who take care that His lambs are well fed.

{338}

_THE HERE, THERE AND EVERYWHERE FAMILY._

Z

I am always in a buzz, Though I'm never in a fret, But I'm ever with a zealot in his zeal; I am in the zephyr-breath, Yet with zest have often met The zero mark that brings the ice-man weal.

Y

I've to do with the yoke, but not with the ox; I help every priest in his prayer; I am new every year, and in four months appear, While I yield to the yeoman a share.

X

I live in a Lexicon, I mark half a score; I ride with a Mexican, In Texas, for lore,

{339}

W

I am in every wing, yet I'm not in a dove; I wait in the swing to be tossed up above.

I live in the woods, and I perch on the wall; I am in the wild waves, though I sail in a yawl.

V

I am mingled with your victuals, yet 'm never in your mouth; I always lead the van and must forever stem the wave; I grow in every gravel bed, East, West, or North, or South, And although I'm with the living, you will find me in the grave.

U

I live in the urn, but not in the vase, I always can run, but I never can race.

I tumble and jump, but I can't hop nor skip; I hide in your mouth, but I ne'er touch your lip.

T

I'm doubled up in a patty-pan, Yet I never saw a pie; I hide in the boy's first pair of boots, Nor pa.s.s his mittens by.

{340}

S

I am always in sadness, yet never know grief; Then, too, I'm in gladness, which gives me relief.

I know not the ocean, but swim in the sea, And the stars and the suns.h.i.+ne were not, but for me.

R

I live at both ends of a river, My home is the center of art; I am found in both arrows and quiver Yet I quietly rest in your heart.

Q

I lead the queen, yet never walk Without you (u) at my heels; I laugh at every question queer, And joy in piggy's squeals.

P

I perch on every pepper-pod, I peer in every place; I prance with every palfrey gay, Yet never run nor race.

{341}

O

Listen, children, and you'll hear me in the cooing of the dove; In the lowing of the kine and the crowing of the c.o.c.ks; I am in your joy and sorrow, and I come to you in love, And you will find me safely hidden in the middle of your box.

N

I live in the moon, yet I visit the sun, I've twice blest the noon, and I've twice kissed the nun; I was in the beginning, yes, double and treble, And wherever's an end I am always in the middle.

M

I, too, live in the moon, yet I ne'er saw the sun; I ne'er blessed the noon, and I ne'er kissed a nun.

I'm one of the many, and in at each mess, Though I've never a penny, I'm not in distress.

L

I sing in every lullaby, I'm out in every squall; I ring in every s.h.i.+lling piece, And roll in every ball.