 | Stories and poems for children |  |
242
BE LOVELY WITHIN
Little Evelyn's cheeks bloomed in delicate pink,
And her clustering hair framed with tendril and curl
A face so lovely you never would think
She could be for a moment a cross little girl.
And her clustering hair framed with tendril and curl
A face so lovely you never would think
She could be for a moment a cross little girl.
Yet cross she was, in a constant fret,
Every hour she spoiled with some trouble or strife,
Till every one said: “Well, I never have met
Such an ill-natured child in the whole of my life!”
Every hour she spoiled with some trouble or strife,
Till every one said: “Well, I never have met
Such an ill-natured child in the whole of my life!”
Her sister Peggy was plain and small,
Freckled and homely, with straight brown hair;
But you never thought of her looks at all,
For she seemed to be everything sunny and fair.
Freckled and homely, with straight brown hair;
But you never thought of her looks at all,
For she seemed to be everything sunny and fair.
“I can't!” and “I won't!” that was Evelyn's cry
From morning till night, against all she was told;
While Peggy's low voice would be saying, “I'll try,”
With a patience and hope that were good to behold.
From morning till night, against all she was told;
While Peggy's low voice would be saying, “I'll try,”
With a patience and hope that were good to behold.
Till at last Peggy's freckles more beautiful grew
In every one's sight than all Evelyn's charms
Of pink cheeks, golden hair, and eyes violet blue;
No one wished to fold her in affectionate arms!
In every one's sight than all Evelyn's charms
Of pink cheeks, golden hair, and eyes violet blue;
No one wished to fold her in affectionate arms!
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But Peggy! Love found her wherever she went,
Clasped her warm little hand and looked into her eyes,
Smiled on her and blessed her with joy and content,
For her spirit within was so sweet and so wise.
Clasped her warm little hand and looked into her eyes,
Smiled on her and blessed her with joy and content,
For her spirit within was so sweet and so wise.
Never mind, children dear, about plainness of face,
But strive all you can to be lovely within,
And the beautiful spirit will clothe you with grace,
And this is a joy every mortal can win.
But strive all you can to be lovely within,
And the beautiful spirit will clothe you with grace,
And this is a joy every mortal can win.
| Stories and poems for children | |