,10 



ARBOR DA Y MANUAL. 



MYSELF. 



AND I " was smart," and all the springs 

 On all the hills could show ; 

 And if there were some grammar things 

 I didn't care to know, 



I knew the trees where slept the crows 

 And, on the water's brim, 



I climbed among the hemlock boughs 

 To watch the fishes swim. 



I always knew how many boughs 

 The latest tempest broke, 



And just how far the woodpecker 

 Had girdled 'round the oak. 



I knew beside the swollen rill, 



What flowers to bloom had burst ; 



And where, upon the south sloped hill, 

 The berries ripened first. 



Each violet tuft, each cowslip green, 



Each daisy on the lea, 

 I counted one by one, for they 



Were kith and kin to me. 



Published by James Vick, Rochester. 



IF I WERE A BIRD. 



IF I were a bird I would warble a song, If I were a flower I'd hasten to bloom, 



The sweetest and finest that ever was And make myself beautiful all the day 



heard, through, 



And build me a nest on the swinging elm With drinking the sunshine, the wind, and 



tree ; the rain ; 



Oh, that's what I'd do if were a bird. Oh, if I were a flower, that's what I'd do. 



***** 



German Legend. 



Once as our Saviour walked with men below, 

 His path of mercy through a forest lay ; 



And'mark how all the drooping branches show 

 What homage best a silent tree may pay. 



Only the aspen stood erect and free, 



Scorning to join the voiceless worship pure. 

 But see ! He casts one look upon the tree, 



Struck to the heart she trembles evermore." 



Full in the midst a spreading elm displayed 

 His aged arms, and cast a mighty shade ; 

 Each trembling leaf with some light vision teems, 

 And leaves impregnated with airy dreams. 



VIRGIL. 



