The Silk-Worm
There
is
no
form
upon
our
earth
That
bears
the
mighty
Maker's
seal,
But
has
some
charm:-to
draw
this
forth,
We
must
have
hearts
to
feel.
I
saw
a
fair
young
girl-her
face
Was
sweet
as
dream
of
cherished
friend-
Just
at
the
age
when
childhood's
grace
And
maiden
softness
blend.
A
silk-worm
in
her
hand
she
laid,
Nor
fear,
nor
yet
disgust
was
stirred;
But
gaily
with
her
charge
she
played,
As
'twere
a
nestling
bird.
She
raised
it
to
her
dimpled
cheek,
And
let
it
rest
and
revel
there,-
O,
why
for
outward
beauty
seek-
Love
makes
its
favourites
fair!
That
worm-I
should
have
shrunk,
in
truth,
To
feel
the
reptile
o'er
me
move;
But,
loved
by
innocence
and
youth,
I
deemed
it
worthy
love.
Would
we,
I
thought,
the
soul
imbue,
In
early
life,
with
sympathies
For
every
harmless
thing,
and
view
Such
creatures
formed
to
please:
And
when
with
usefulness
combined,
Give
them
our
love
and
gentle
care-
O,
we
might
have
a
world
as
kind
As
God
has
made
it
fair!
There
is
no
form
upon
our
earth,
Bearing
the
mighty
Maker's
seal,
But
has
some
charm:-to
call
this
forth
We
need
but
hearts
to
feel.
Sarah Josepha Hale
Sarah Josepha Hale was born on October 24th, 1788 in Newport, New Hampshire. Her parents were strong advocates for education of both sexes. Therefore, Hale was taught well beyond the normal age for a woman. Later, she married a lawyer David Hale, who supported her in all scholarly endeavors. Sadly, her husband died after only nine years of marriage, leaving Hale a widow with five children. She turned to poetry as a form of income. Her most famous book, titled Poems for Our Children included a beloved story from her childhood. “Mary Had a Little Lamb” was instantly a popular nursey rhyme.