IT

WHEN THE SUN RISES

(Rydingsvärd, "My Lady Legend")

T was evening; yes, dark night in the forest. The sun had long since gone down; every one had gone to his dwelling; the animals had sought their resting places in the underbrush, and the birds had crept into their nests. Only the owls, bats, and moles remained out. Down by the edge of the marsh, where glow-worms, jack-o'-lanterns, and fireflies spread a dim light about, the lovers of the night were gathered.

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"I wonder how it would be if we did not exist?" asked the glow-worm.

"The sun might as well hide himself forever," the jack-o'-lantern said. "We give much better light. No one gets a pain in the eyes looking at us."

"I agree with you," joined the owl; "the sun shines altogether too strong; I cannot bear him. And then there is such a disturbance in the woods when he rises!

Bullfinches, sparrows, robins, bluebirds, and whatever they all are, then begin to bawl with all their might. No; he can just as well stay away."

"Neither can I discover of what use that sunshine is," said the firefly. "For that reason, neither I nor any of my family will honor him with our presence, so we leave the instant he appears."

One could certainly do very well without the sun," said the mole.

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Suppose we should frighten him away when he tries to peak over the tree-tops in the forest?

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"I will do what I can toward it," said "I will screech the loudest I am

the owl;

able."

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"And we three," said the firefly, flitting between the jack-o'-lantern and glow-worm, we will shine in a way that he has never seen equaled. Then we shall see, fast enough, if he dares mount up as haughtily as usual."

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My assistance shall not be wanting," said the mole, "especially as I am the originator of the idea. I will throw up

such a sandhill that he never will be able to shine over it." And then he began to scratch and dig with all his might with his front paws.

"We will spread out our wings," said the bat, "so he cannot send a ray down to the earth."

And the bats spread out their wings, the mole dug, the fireflies and glow-worms shone with all their might. High up on a great rock sat the owl, and rapped with his crooked bill.

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"There will, indeed, be a new order of things here," said he. Sing now, you gaping birds! leap, you hares and roes! I wish you joy, you flowers! I think your rejoicing will be more moderate now."

The sky began to redden in the east, and the color grew stronger and brighter every minute. The three lights shone

with all their might, the mole dug, the bat spread out its wings, and the owl screeched.

But the sun mounted up, and poured a film of gleaming gold over land and water. The small lights at the marsh's edge went out immediately, the mole crept into its hole, the bat and owl hid themselves in the thickest brush.

But the waves of fresh morning air, the flowers' fragrance, and the birds' exulting voices announced to all the world that the sun had risen !

HARK! HARK! THE LARK

Hark! hark! the lark at heaven's gate sings,

And Phoebus 'gins arise,

His steeds to water at those springs

On chaliced flowers that lies;

And winking Mary-buds begin
To ope their golden eyes;
With everything that pretty bin

My lady sweet, arise! - SHAKESPEARE.

A

ABOU BEN ADHEM

Leigh Hunt

BOU BEN ADHEM (may his tribe increase!)

Awoke one night from a deep dream of

peace,

And saw,

within the moonlight in his room, Making it rich, and like a lily in bloom, An angel writing in a book of gold: Exceeding peace had made Ben Adhem bold, And to the presence in the room he said, "What writest thou? The vision raised its head,

And, with a look made of all sweet accord, Answered, "The names of those who love the Lord."

"And is mine one?" said Abou. "Nay, not so,"

Replied the angel. - Abou spake more low, But cheerily still, and said, "I pray thee, then,

Write me as one that loves his fellow-men."