Lower sink the snow-drifts daily,
Half the pasture lands are bare;
And the little streams leap gayly
From their chains to breathe the air.

While the barren earth rejoices,
Care-worn mortal, come away,--
Listen to the pleasant voices
Of the resurrection day.

Dost thou understand the token?
Nature should not teach in vain
What its gracious Lord hath spoken--
_That the dead shall live again!_




THE BIRD'S NEST.


Two robins came in early Spring,--
When Winter's reign was o'er;
And every morn I heard them sing
Just by our cottage door.

They built their nest of moss and hay
Within a maple-tree,--
And thither every pleasant day,