IN THE SOLEMN MIDNIGHT 



the spring comes they will awake to old joys and 

 new gladness. For again little lovers will hold 

 their trysts among the branches of the maple; 

 again w T ill gentle w y inds caress it, and the warm 

 sun kiss it, and soft showers bathe its leaves and 

 moisten its roots; and once more the sweetbrier 

 arms will conceal the scarred trunk, and the 

 wounded tree shall blossom as the rose. 



Now the wee, small hours are drawing near, 

 and from yonder hedge come expostulating twit- 

 terings; faint sounds of sleepy remonstrance and 

 petition, as if some little feathered creature were 

 putting in a plea for a chance to rest without far- 

 ther alarm from passing footstep or shadowy hu- 

 man form. With the first glimmer of day these 

 little people must be astir. Their safety, their 

 very lives depend upon their early vigilance. 

 Then let us withdraw that they may take their 

 rest while the hours of darkness remain. 



So good-night, little ones, 



Good-night, 

 Slumber till the morning light. 



Sleep without or fear or fright. 



Our Father wakes. Good-night, good-night. 



[93 



