The Innocent Maiden.

(Form the German of M. Claudius).

Mother dear one said to me
With a voice though stern, yet mild,
"Nature gave thy lips to thee
But for speaking, sweet my child."

"Why then are my lips so red?
Mother mine, will you not tell?
Surely if their bloom were fled
I could still speak just as well."

"Lips were meant for speech alone."
Who will teach me if 'tis true?
Ah! How fain would I be shown
Aught else that my lips could do.

—C.