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Then to the eldest he gave it,
And, opening his wallet wide,
A vase just as perfect and lovely
He gave to each one beside.

Then, as rejoicing they took them,

To the eyes of their stranger friend
There came a look of strange sadness

As he thought of their journey's end;
And he said, "Oh, children, remember
That the way is long and steep,
And not all who begin the journey,
To the end their prize can keep !"

But little the children heeded
His words in their noisy glee;
To them 'twas a holiday pastime,
The rarest that could be!

They ran and they raced together

On the road and by paths they knew, Through the meadows, across the valley, To the beautiful hills in view.

But some as they ran, forgetting

The sharp stones that were in their way, Fell, and the delicate vases

In an instant shivered lay!

And they sat by the wayside crying,
But the bitter tears were soon shed,

Then they laughed and mocked at the others : "Play is better by far!" they said.

But the rest, with still eager footsteps,
Followed the long, long road,

Through the valley, and came to a river,
Broad and beautiful, that flowed
With waters so clear and sparkling
'Neath a bridge, and there they stayed,
On the parapet leaning and resting-
Their vases beside them laid.

Oh, the fun of watching the minnows
D'arting hither and thither,
Scurrying off through the shallows
When a stone splashed in the river;

Or the trout, that beneath the shadow
Of the weeds so lazily lay,

Till, disturbed by the stone's rude splashing,
They solemnly glided away!

But, alas! in the fun and scramble,

Many a vase was upset,

And tumbled with crash and shiver

Down, down, from the parapet.
"Never mind!" cried the foolish children,
"We've come far enough to-day;
No more of that tiresome climbing,
It's pleasanter far to play!"

Very few were left for the journey,
And as wearily, carelessly,

These walked, they began to wrangle
In their peevish jealousy;

They clamoured and pushed and struggled-
Alas! for their vases bright,
Dropped in the dust and trampled
By their feet in the angry fight.

And of all who at first had started
Only two still persevered,

And they by the roadside are sitting
Scanning their vases smeared
With dirt-are they broken?—a tiny
Crack in each one was plain,

And their hot little fingers are pressing
The edges to join again.

"It's so little!

And no one will notice

When we get there!"-the two are fain

To believe, and so carefully holding

Their vases, set forth again.

And now, far above the valley,

They have climbed the steep hillside 'Mong the trees, and about them are floating The last rays of the sunset tide.

But, passing a turn in the highway,
Whom do they suddenly see,

Coming to meet them, slowly

Moving and painfully?

And why do they look so frightened,
Turning as if to run?

Why surely it is 'tis the stranger
First met 'neath the morning sun!

Then he lifted his eyes upon them,

"Ah, little ones, how do you fare?" One answered, "Bravely, O Master;

See how safely your gifts we bear !" But the other, with eyes bent low, And sorrowful heart, was still, Daring not look on the gentle,

Kind friend he had served so ill.

For a while the stranger waited,
Silent, and then they heard
His voice again, "Is it not easy

To trust your friend with a word?
To tell me your trouble, children?

Ah, I know it-see what I have brought !" Then he drew from his wallet two vases More lovely, more perfectly wrought

E'en than the last. "Will you take them?" He held them up in the light

That gleamed through their flawless beauty,
Dazzlingly pure and bright.

The children looked; and then answered
The first, "Very pretty and fine,

But still the one I have carried

So long I'll not change for thine!"

He went on his way. But the other
Burst into tears and said,

"Oh, sir, mine is broken-is worthless

See if only I might instead

Have the beautiful new one!" The stranger

Smiled at sight of the old one thrown

Aside, as the boy with glad fingers
Clasped the new vase for his own.

"Be faithful and true-remember!"
Said the stranger, then left the boy,
Who, facing the hill, went upwards,
With fresh courage and heart of joy.

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At last they have reached the hill-top,
Where the palace towers are seen,
And beneath them stretches the ocean's
Glory of outspread sheen.

And now the two weary children
Climb to the palace gate,

Up the long flight of steps, and knocking
Softly, timidly wait.

The sound of footsteps approaching,
And of gates unbarred they hear;
Fast are their hearts now beating
With wonder and hope and fear.
And now through the gate half opened
A wonderful glimpse they gain
Of the stately palace, and listen
To music of sweetest strain.

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