Page:Canadian Singers and Their Songs.djvu/157

CANADIAN SINGERS AND THEIR SONGS From: "The Little Things"

The little tender blades of grass,
 * The tiny buds of green,

The shoots, the fronds that in a mass
 * Beneath the moss are seen;

The delicate untempered growth
 * That every forest bears,

As if the very Earth were loath
 * To advertise her wares,—

Are still as beautiful, as dear
 * To Him who gave them life

As any bloom that does not fear
 * The highway and the strife.

The hidden, gentle thoughts that rise
 * Like wind blown scent of flowers

Wafting their incense to the skies
 * Endowed with secret powers

To charm, to soothe, to drive away
 * The rough, uncouth veneer

Of unkind moods that try to slay
 * With barb or pointed spear,—

How we should welcome them, & know
 * From whence their sweetness springs—

To set the happy heart aglow, John. F. Waddington 153
 * To give the spirit wings.