MOTHER NATURE S INVITATION, 



By Bertha A. Joslin, Mass. 



'Tis the voice of Mother Nature, 

 What does the old dame say? 

 She is calling to the children 

 In her ever winsome \va.v, 

 "O! leave your books and studies 

 And come with me and play," 

 Says Nature, Mother Nature. 



"They have told you of me, children, 

 In the schoolrooms broad and fair. 

 From whose widely swinging portals 

 You are swarming everywhere, 

 And I hear your merry voices 

 Floating to me on the air," 

 Says Nature, Mother Nature. 



"Come noisy boys and chatt'ring girls, 

 I'll give you of my best. 

 Come bring the little children 

 And I'll rock them on my breast; 

 I'll show each day new treasures 

 Till the sun sets in the west," 

 Says Nature, Mother Nature. 



"I've hung my trees with little homes, 

 I've gemmed my boughs with birds. 

 If yon listen very closely 

 You may understand their words. 

 And I've filled my lakes with fishes, 

 And my pastures teem with herds," 

 Says Nature, Mother Nature. 



"I have frescoed all my mountains, 

 Till they flash with rills and flowers. 

 Where the dryads dance and frolic 

 With the winged-footed hours, 

 And the berries hang in clusters. 

 And the wild grape weaves its bowers,' 

 Says Nature, Mother Nature. 



