AT THE SIGN OF THE LYRE.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1248, 30 January 1896, Page 11

AT THE SIGN OF THE LYRE.

THE "COMING MAN." A pair of very chubby legs, Incased in scarlet hose ; A pair of little stubby boots, With rather doubtful toes ; A little kilt, a little coat, Cut as a mother can— And lo ! before us ftands in state The future's " coming man." His eyes, perchance, will road the stars, And search their unknown ways ; Perchance the hum in heart and soul Will open to their gaze ; Perchance their keen and flashing glance Will be a nation's light—',4;Those eyes that now are wistful bent On some " big i'ellow'u " kite. Those hands —those little, busy hands — So sticky, small and brown ; Those hands whose only mission seems To put all order down — Who knows what hidden strength may be Hidden within their clasp ? Though now 'tis but a taffy stick In sturdy hold they grasp. Ah, blessings on those little hands Whose work is yet undone ; And blessings on those little feet Whose race is yet unrun ! And blessings on the little brain That has not learned to plan ! Whate'er the future holds in store, God bless the " coming man." ■ —The Beacon. ONE AT A TIME. One step at a time, and that well placed, We reach the grandest height ; One stroke at a time, earth's hidden stores Will slowly come to light : One seed at a time, and the forest grows; One drop at a time, and the river flows Into the boundless sea. One word at a time, and the greatest book Is written and is read ; One stone at a time, and the palace rears Aloft its stately head ; One blow at a time, the tree's cleft through, And a city will stand where a forest grew A few short years before. One foe at a time, and he subdued, And the conflict will be won ; One grain at a time, and the sand of life Will slowly all be run; One minute, another, the hours fly ; One day at a time our lives speed by Into eternity. One grain of knowledge, and that well stored, Another, and more on them, And as time rolls on your mind will shine With many a garnered gem Of thought and wisdom. And time will tell, " One thing at a time, and that done well," Is wisdom's proven rule. —Golden Days.