Birds in their little nests agree; When children of one family Fall out, and chide, and fight. Hard names at first, and threatening words That are but noisy breath, May grow to clubs and naked swords, To murder and to death. Pardon, O Lord, our childish rage, Our little brawls remove; That, as we grow to riper age, THE LITTLE PILGRIM. Now that my journey's just begun, My course so little trod, I'll stay, before I further run, And, lest I should be ever led What sorrows may my steps attend, I cannot now foretel; But if the Lord will be my friend, I know that all is well. If all my earthly friends should die, If I am rich, He'll guard my heart, And make me willing to impart If I am poor, He can supply, Who feeds the ravens when they cry, And fills his poor with bread. And, Lord, whatever grief or ill For me may be in store, Make me submissive to thy will, And I will ask no more. Attend me through my youthful way, Whatever be my lot; And when I'm feeble, old, and gray, O Lord, forsake me not! Then still, as seasons hasten by, That God may take me when I die, THE ORPHAN CHILD. Upon my father's new-closed grave Green, now, the grass waves o'er his head, And tall the tomb weeds grow. Along life's road no parent's hand My homeless footsteps led; No mother's arm in sickness soothed And raised my throbbing head. But other hearts, Lord, thou hast warmed With tenderness benign; And, in the stranger's eyes, I mark The tear of pity shine. The stranger's hand by thee is moved To be the orphan's stay ; And, better far, the stranger's voice Hath taught me how to pray. Thou putt'st a new song in our mouths, To him, who little children took, And, blessing them with looks of love, To him, while flowers bloom on the bank, Or lambs sport on the lea; While larks with morning hymns ascend, Or birds chant on the tree;— To him, let every creature join THOU, GOD, SEEST ME. Among the deepest shades of night |