PIMPERNEL, THE SHEPHERD’S CLOCK

I’ll go and look at the Pimpernel
And see if she thinks the clouds look well.
For if the sun shineAnd ’tis like to be fine,
I’ll go to the fair.

So Pimpernel, what bode the clouds in the sky;
If fair weather, no maiden so merry as I.

Now the Pimpernel flower had folded up
Her little gold star in her coral cup.
And unto the maid
A warning she said:
“Though the sun seems down
There’s a gathering frown
O’er the checkered blue of the clouded sky
So, tarry at home! for a storm is nigh!”

A LEGEND OF THE GENTIAN

Many years ago the poor people of Hungary suffered from a terrible sickness which had afflicted them for a long time. Thousands of them had been stricken and many had died, for nothing could be found to cure them or relieve their sufferings in any way.

At last the people appealed to their good King Ladislaw for help. Messenger after messenger was sent to beg him to bring about some relief. But the good king could do nothing, and he was obliged to send the messengers away without help and without hope…