A poll. Thou didst the same by me, and yet I am willing to pass by all, if now thou wilt yet turn again and go back.

Chris. What I promised thee was in my nonage: and besides I count that the Prince under whose banner I now stand is able to absolve me, yea, and to pardon also what I did as to my conpliance with thee. And besides, O thou destroying Apollyon, to speak truth, I like His service, His wages, His servants, His government, His company, and country, better than thine; therefore leave off to persuade me further; I am His servant, and I will follow Him.

- JOHN BUNYAN (Pilgrim's Progress).

PART III

SELECTIONS FOR MEMORIZING

PRESCRIBED BY THE NEW YORK CITY COURSE OF STUDY

GRADE I A

I LIKE LITTLE PUSSY

I LIKE little Pussy,

Her coat is so warm;
And if I don't hurt her,

She'll do me no harm.
So I'll not pull her tail,
Nor drive her away,
But pussy and I

Very gently will play;
She shall sit by my side,

And I'll give her some food;

And she'll love me because

I am gentle and good.

I'll pat little Pussy,

And then she will purr,
And thus show her thanks

For my kindness to her;

I'll not pinch her ears,
Nor tread on her paw,
Lest I should provoke her
To use her sharp claw;

But when the trees bow down their heads,

The wind is passing by.

CHRISTINA G. ROSSETTI.

268

SLEEP, BABY, SLEEP

SLEEP, BABY, SLEEP

SLEEP, baby, sleep!

Thy father is watching the sheep!

Thy mother is shaking the dreamland tree,
And down drops a little dream for thee,
Sleep, baby, sleep!

Sleep, baby, sleep!

The great stars are the sheep,

The little stars are the lambs I guess,
The bright moon is the shepherdess, -
Sleep, baby, sleep!

- FROM THE GERMAN.

O you that are so strong and cold,
O blower, are you young or old?
Are you a beast of field and tree,
Or just a stronger child than me?
O wind, a-blowing all day long,
O wind, that sings so loud a song!
- ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON.