_O bella liberta, O bella!_--stringing
The same words still on notes he went in search
So high for, you concluded the upspringing
Of such a nimble bird to sky from perch
Must leave the whole bush in a tremble green,
And that the heart of Italy must beat,
While such a voice had leave to rise serene
'Twixt church and palace of a Florence street;
A little child, too, who not long had been
By mother's finger steadied on his feet,
And still _O bella liberta_ he sang.

ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING.

WOODMAN, SPARE THAT TREE!

"Woodman, Spare That Tree" (by George Pope Morris, 1802-64) is included
in this collection because I have loved it all my life, and I never
knew any one who could or would offer a criticism upon it. Its value
lies in its recognition of childhood's pleasures.

Woodman, spare that tree!
Touch not a single bough!
In youth it sheltered me,
And I'll protect it now.
'Twas my forefather's hand
That placed it near his cot;
There, woodman, let it stand,
Thy ax shall harm it not.

That old familiar tree,
Whose glory and renown
Are spread o'er land and sea--
And wouldst thou hew it down?
Woodman, forbear thy stroke!
Cut not its earth-bound ties;
Oh, spare that aged oak
Now towering to the skies!

When but an idle boy,
I sought its grateful shade;
In all their gushing joy
Here, too, my sisters played.
My mother kissed me here;
My father pressed my hand--
Forgive this foolish tear,
But let that old oak stand.

My heart-strings round thee cling,
Close as thy bark, old friend!
Here shall the wild-bird sing,
And still thy branches bend.
Old tree! the storm still brave!
And, woodman, leave the spot;
While I've a hand to save,
Thy ax shall harm it not.

GEORGE POPE MORRIS.

ABIDE WITH ME.

"Abide With Me" (Henry Francis Lyte, 1793-1847) appeals to our natural
longing for the unchanging and to our love of security.

Abide with me! fast falls the eventide;
The darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide!
When other helpers fail, and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, O abide with me.

Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day;
Earth's joys grow dim, its glories pass away;
Change and d