Poems Teachers Ask For Volume I Part 25

Said he, "You cannot go to Morrow any more to-day, For the train that goes to Morrow is a mile upon its way."

FINALE

I was so disappointed I was mad enough to swear; The train had gone to Morrow and had left me standing there.

The man was right in telling me I was a howling jay; I didn't go to Morrow, so I guess I'll go to-day.

Out in the Fields

The little cares that fretted me, I lost them yesterday Among the fields above the seas, Among the winds at play; Among the lowing of the herds, The rustling of the trees, Among the singing of the birds, The humming of the bees.

The foolish fears of what might happen,-- I cast them all away Among the clover-scented gra.s.s, Among the new-mown hay; Among the husking of the corn, Where drowsy poppies nod, Where ill thoughts die and good are born, Out in the fields with G.o.d.

_Elizabeth Barrett Browning._

The Bluebird's Song

I know the song that the bluebird is singing, Out in the apple tree where he is swinging.

Brave little fellow! the skies may be dreary-- Nothing cares he while his heart is so cheery.

Hark! how the music leaps out from his throat!

Hark! was there ever so merry a note?

Listen a while, and you'll hear what he's saying, Up in the apple tree swinging and swaying.

"Dear little blossoms down under the snow, You must be weary of winter I know.

Listen, I'll sing you a message of cheer!

Summer is coming! and springtime is here!

"Little white snowdrop! I pray you arise; Bright yellow crocus! please open your eyes; Sweet little violets, hid from the cold, Put on your mantles of purple and gold; Daffodils! Daffodils! say, do you hear?-- Summer is coming, and springtime is here!"

_Emily Huntington Miller._

The Main Truck, or a Leap for Life

Old Ironsides at anchor lay, In the harbor of Mahon; A dead calm rested on the bay,-- The waves to sleep had gone; When little Hal, the Captain's son, A lad both brave and good, In sport, up shroud and rigging ran, And on the main truck stood!

A shudder shot through every vein,-- All eyes were turned on high!

There stood the boy, with dizzy brain, Between the sea and sky; No hold had he above, below; Alone he stood in air: To that far height none dared to go,-- No aid could reach him there.

We gazed, but not a man could speak,-- With horror all aghast,-- In groups, with pallid brow and cheek,-- We watched the quivering mast.

The atmosphere grew thick and hot, And of a lurid hue;-- As riveted unto the spot, Stood officers and crew.

The father came on deck:--he gasped, "Oh, G.o.d; thy will be done!"

Then suddenly a rifle grasped, And aimed it at his son.

"Jump, far out, boy, into the wave!

Jump, or I fire," he said; "That only chance your life can save; Jump, jump, boy!" He obeyed.

He sunk,--he rose,--he lived,--he moved,-- And for the s.h.i.+p struck out.

On board we hailed the lad beloved, With many a manly shout.

His father drew, in silent joy, Those wet arms round his neck, And folded to his heart his boy,-- Then fainted on the deck.

_Morris._

The Arrow and the Song

I shot an arrow into the air, It fell to earth, I knew not where; For, so swiftly it flew, the sight Could not follow it in its flight.

I breathed a song into the air, It fell to earth, I knew not where; For who has sight so keen and strong, That it can follow the flight of song?

Long, long afterward, in an oak I found the arrow, still unbroke; And the song, from beginning to end, I found again in the heart of a friend.

_H.W. Longfellow._

The Green Mountain Justice

"The snow is deep," the Justice said; "There's mighty mischief overhead."

"High talk, indeed!" his wife exclaimed; "What, sir! shall Providence be blamed?"

The Justice, laughing, said, "Oh no!

I only meant the loads of snow Upon the roofs. The barn is weak; I greatly fear the roof will break.

So hand me up the spade, my dear, I'll mount the barn, the roof to clear."

"No!" said the wife; "the barn is high, And if you slip, and fall, and die, How will my living be secured?-- Stephen, your life is not insured.

But tie a rope your waist around, And it will hold you safe and sound."

"I will," said he. "Now for the roof-- All snugly tied, and danger-proof!

Excelsior! Excel--But no!

The rope is not secured below!"

Said Rachel, "Climb, the end to throw Across the top, and I will go And tie that end around my waist."

"Well, every woman to her taste; You always would be tightly laced.

Rachel, when you became my bride, I thought the knot securely tied; But lest the bond should break in twain, I'll have it fastened once again."

Below the arm-pits tied around, She takes her station on the ground, While on the roof, beyond the ridge, He shovels clear the lower edge.