A thousand, thousand snow-flakes,
    They’re swimming in the air;
  They fall upon the cherry-trees,
    And hang like blossoms there.

  They are coming, coming, coming,
    As far as I can see;
  They ’light, like little fairy birds,
    Upon the old oak tree.

  Each flake of snow is pretty—­
    A spangle or a gem;
  But they melt away in dew-drops—­
    I can not treasure them.

  They melt beneath the sunbeam,
    They sink into the ground,
  And where they vanish, by-and-by,
    Sweet flowers will be found,

  And I am told they moisten
    And make the flowrets grow;
  So, welcome, very welcome,
    Are the gentle flakes of snow.

  Poor lammie! what a pity
    One little foot is hurt,
  And the face that was so pretty
    Is covered with the dirt!

  But up, and never mind it;
    A little brook is near—­
  Among the grass you’ll find it—­
    The water’s cool and clear.

  I guess you will feel better—­
    Step in and take a drink;
  That shallow brook of water,
    With flowers around the brink.

* * * * *

LULLABY.

  A woman gently rocks her easy chair,
    With a sweet infant lying on her breast,
  The gentle motion waving her long hair,
    As thus she sings her little one to rest,
        Lullaby, lullaby!

  Another twilight, and my heart is thrilled
    Still with thy living beauty; angel feet
  This day have trod our threshold, but to shield,
    And not to bear thee hence, my baby sweet. 
        Lullaby, lullaby!

  One radiant star is shining in the west,
    A softer radiance is in thine eyes;
  Upon the slender stalk the blossoms rest—­
    A sweeter blossom on my bosom lies. 
        Lullaby, lullaby!

  All thou mayest be I dare not image now,
    As thou in life shalt bear an earnest part;
  Only I pray that on thy spotless brow
    The seal of heaven be set, and true thy heart,
        Lullaby, lullaby!

  The dew is falling, and the leaves are stirred
    With a low whispering of love and power,
  And thou art sleepy now, my nestling bird,
    Shut thy blue eyes as softly shuts the flower. 
        Lullaby, lullaby!

* * * * *

HYMN.

  God who is in heaven
    Made all the pretty flowers,
  He sends the pleasant sunshine,
    And sends the dripping showers.

  He made all living creatures,
    And the earth to bring forth food,
  And we will love and praise him,
    For he is very good.

* * * * *

2.

  Keep us in the midnight,
    Saviour dear,
  Through the hours of darkness,
    Oh, be thou near!