Читать книгу Graded Literature Readers: Fourth Book - Various - Страница 11

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1. Four little sunbeams came earthward one day,

All shining and dancing along on their way,

Resolved that their course should be blest.

"Let us try," they all whispered, "some kindness to do,

Not seek our own happiness all the day through,

Then meet in the eve at the west."

2. One sunbeam ran in at a low cottage door,

And played "hide and seek" with a child on the floor,

Till baby laughed loud in his glee,

And chased in delight his strange playmate so bright,

The little hands grasping in vain for the light

That ever before them would flee.

3. One crept to the couch where an invalid lay,

And brought him a dream of the sweet summer day,

Its bird-song and beauty and bloom;

Till pain was forgotten and weary unrest,

And in fancy he roamed through the scenes he loved best,

Far away from the dim, darkened room.

4. One stole to the heart of a flower that was sad

And loved and caressed her until she was glad,

And lifted her white face again;

For love brings content to the lowliest lot,

And finds something sweet in the dreariest spot,

And lightens all labor and pain.

5. And one, where a little blind girl sat alone,

Not sharing the mirth of her playfellows, shone

On hands that were folded and pale,

And kissed the poor eyes that had never known sight,

That never would gaze on the beautiful light,

Till angels had lifted the veil.

6. At last, when the shadows of evening were falling,

And the sun, their great father, his children was calling,

Four sunbeams passed into the west.

All said: "We have found that, in seeking the pleasure

Of others, we fill to the full our own measure."

Then softly they sank to their rest.

Glēe: joy; mirth. Flēe: run away. Ĭn´vȧ lĭd: one who is weak from illness. Rōamed: wandered; went from place to place. Drēar´ĭ ĕst: most comfortless and sorrowful.

Kind words cost nothing, but are worth much.