DON'T SAY ONE THING AND MEAN
ANOTHER.

THE little lane, the greenwood lane,

Where Mary dwelt, was gay with singing; For brook and bird, in many a strain,

Down vale and moor their notes were flinging. But Mary's heart was deaf to song,

No longer she her tears could smother, For she had learn'd at last, 'twas wrong To say one thing and mean another.

'Tis right, 'tis true, when hearts are true, To show that heart without deceiving, And not to speak, in idle freak,

To try if one's the power of grieving! In Mary's heart, and Mary's mind,

She loved one youth, and loved no other; But Mary's tongue was oft inclined

To say one thing and mean another!

Would all might see how sweet 'twould be
If truth alone their words directed;
How many a day might then be gay,
That passeth now in tears dejected.
Would all might learn, and all discern,

That truth keeps longest friend or brother;
Then maids be kind, and speak your mind,
Nor say one thing and mean another!

CHARLES SWAIN.

68

SELECT POETRY FOR CHILDREN.

SPEAK NO ILL.

NAY speak no ill: a kindly word
Can never leave a sting behind ;
And oh to breathe each talk we've heard,
Is far beneath a noble mind.

Full oft a better seed is sown,

By choosing thus the kinder plan :
For if but little good be known,
Still let us speak the best we can.

Give me the heart that fain would hide,
Would fain another's faults efface,
How can it pleasure human pride,
To prove humanity but base?
No, let us reach a higher mood;
A nobler estimate of man ;
Be earnest in the search for good,
And speak of all the best we can.

Then speak no ill, but lenient be

To others' failings as your own;
If you're the first a fault to see,

Be not the first to make it known.
For life is but a passing day,

No lip may tell how brief its span ;
Then oh the little time we stay,

Let's speak of all the best we can.