Gentleness.

151

E. R. LATTA.
JAS. L. ORR.

1. Softly fall the dews of evening,
Where late the noontide heat,
And to thirsty vegetation
Comes refreshing, cool and sweet,
Though unheard the operation,
Yet the wondrous work is done,
So by silent unseen forces,
Vict'ries great are often won.

2. Gently fall the downy snowflakes,
And on leafless boughs remain,
Till they bend the branches earthward,
With the added weight they gain,
Though not theirs the torrent's tumult,
That resoundeth near and far,
Yet these silent unseen forces,
Often times most potent are.

3. Grievous wrongs may oft be righted,
Errors made to disappear,
Easier by gentle efforts,
Than by measures more severe,
From the dews and from the snowflakes,
Learn the lesson grand and true,
That by kindness oft repeated,
We the greatest good may do.