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This didn't sound like the blithe-spirited girl he'd pursued for a year, then wooed and subdued. Lance studied her, then said slowly: "You're scared. About what? My first flight?"Carolyn's head bobbed timidly.Lance flashed a reassuring grin. "Everything has to be a brand-new experience, at some time or other. Me, I pre...
Lance turned. "Good-by, Carolyn. Just four weeks now, like I said.""I'll be waiting.""First jump's always the hardest, I hear," spoke up the second aide, cheerily. Like a great many other execs, the officer boasted no active space rating, though he did wear the winged moons of an observer.But Lance and Carolyn were aga...
"Put this man under close confinement," he ordered Lance's guards. "Allow no visitors of any kind." The colonel's tone was harsh and worried. "I've got to buck this matter to HQ. We can't have it blow up right now, God knows."The space police nudged Lance. "All right, major. Let's go."Lance's anger seethed to a boil. H...
"Don't malarky me, please. You know who I am and who I want. Carolyn, your daughter.""Oh," said Mrs. Sagen. It was said in a way that revealed nothing."Look," said Lance, impatiently. "You do have a daughter. I've dated her. So, all right," he waved his hands, "she's been spirited away for some reason. I still think I'...
"Just what I need? What else do you intend to do? Hypnotize me, so you can erase all my past?"The colonel scowled. "Look here, major. You co-operate and learn to keep your mouth shut, we may be able to restore you to duty. But if not ... well, what happens then will be entirely up to Nordsen. It could mean a padded cel...
For one despairing moment, Lance felt almost like hurling himself through the window. Then, he straightened up. His mouth compressed into a thin line. "If I must face the facts, I must. But," his tone edged off into irony, "it sure isn't easy. You'll have to give me time."Colonel Nordsen stood up, held out his hand. "I...
"You bet your last commendation ribbon she was. And she's going to! Hey!" Lance shouted. "Anything wrong with her? She's not sick or--"The voice of the first operator at Traffic came back on. "The captain had to take off. No sir, major. She's not sick. We just don't know how she's gonna take this, is all.""With bells o...
Produced by David Edwards, Emmy and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This book was produced from scanned images of public domain material from the Google Print project.)The Nursery Rhyme Book[Illustration: Little Bo-Peep]THE NURSERY RHYME BOOKEDITED BY ANDREW LANGILLUSTRATED BY L. LESLI...
As to Tom the Piper's Son, he was probably the son of a Highlander, for they were mostly on Charley's side, who was "Over the hills and far away." Another song says--"There was a wind, it came to me Over the south and over the sea, And it has blown my corn and hay Over the hills and far...
Four-and-twenty tailors went to kill a snail 224There was a piper, he'd a cow 226A long-tail'd pig, or a short-tail'd pig 229Dame, what makes your ducks to die? 231Little Tom Tinker's dog ...
A WAS an apple-pie; B bit it; C cut it; D dealt it; E ate it; F fought for it; G got it; H had it; J joined it; K kept it; L longed for it; M mourned for it; N nodded at it; O opened it; ...
OLD Mother Goose, when She wanted to wander, Would ride through the air On a very fine gander.Mother Goose had a house, 'Twas built in a wood, Where an owl at the door For sentinel stood.This is her son Jack, A plain-looking lad, He is not ...
MONDAY'S bairn is fair of face, Tuesday's bairn is full of grace, Wednesday's bairn is full of woe, Thursday's bairn has far to go, Friday's bairn is loving and giving, Saturday's bairn works hard for its living, But the bairn that is born on the Sabbath day ...
Silver and gold will be stole away, Dance o'er my Lady Lee; Silver and gold will be stole away, With a gay lady.Build it up with iron and steel, Dance o'er my Lady Lee; Build it up with iron and steel, With a gay lady.Iron and steel will bend and bow, ...
UP at Piccadilly oh! The coachman takes his stand, And when he meets a pretty girl, He takes her by the hand. Whip away for ever oh! Drive away so clever oh! All the way to Bristol oh! He drives her four-in-hand.[Illustration: Decor...
BLACK we are but much admired; Men seek for us till they are tired. We tire the horse, but comfort man; Tell me this riddle if you can. [_Coals._[Illustration: Decoration]THERE were three sisters in a hall; There came a knight amongst them all:...
[Illustration: Cushy cow bonny, let down thy milk]CUSHY cow bonny, let down thy milk, And I will give thee a gown of silk; A gown of silk and a silver tee, If thou wilt let down thy milk to me. If you love me, pop and fly; If you hate me, lie and die. [_Said...
She took a clean dish To get him some tripe, But when she came back He was smoking his pipe.She went to the fishmonger's To buy him some fish, And when she came back He was licking the dish.She went to the ale-house To get him some beer, ...
1. I WENT up one pair of stairs. 2. Just like me. 1. I went up two pair of stairs. 2. Just like me. 1. I went into a room. 2. Just like me. 1. I looked out of a window. 2. Just like me. 1. And there I saw a monkey. 2. Ju...
FIDDLE-DE-DEE, fiddle-de-dee, The fly shall marry the humble-bee. They went to the church, and married was she: The fly has married the humble-bee.[Illustration: Decoration]TO market, to market, to buy a fat pig; Home again, home again, dancing a jig Ride to the marke...
[Illustration: Decoration]DID you see my wife, did you see, did you see, Did you see my wife looking for me? She wears a straw bonnet, with white ribbands on it, And dimity petticoats over her knee.[Illustration: Decoration]I DOUBT, I doubt, my fire is out; My little wife i...
A LONG-TAIL'D pig, or a short-tail'd pig, Or a pig without e'er a tail, A sow-pig, or a boar-pig, Or a pig with a curly tail.[Illustration: Decoration]A LITTLE cock-sparrow sat on a green tree (_tris_), And he cherruped, he cherruped, so merry was he (_tris_); A lit...
JENNY WREN fell sick, Upon a merry time; In came Robin-Redbreast And brought her sops and wine."Eat well of the sops, Jenny, Drink well of the wine." "Thank you, Robin, kindly, You shall be mine."Jenny she got well, And stood upon her feet,...
THIS is the key of the kingdom. In that kingdom there is a city. In that city there is a town. In that town there is a street. In that street there is a lane. In that lane there is a yard. In that yard there is a house. In that house there is a room....
was known in ancient Rome as _bucca_, though it would be audacious to infer that it arrived in Britain since the Norman Conquest. Hop-scotch is also exceedingly ancient, and the curious will find the theories of its origin in Mr. Gomme's learned work on Children's Dances and Songs, published by the Folk-Lore Society. D...
Georgey Porgey, pudding and pie 215Girls and boys, come out to play 267God bless the master of this house 242Goosey, goosey, gander 243Great A, little a 43Grey goose...
There was a monkey climbed up a tree 39There was a piper, he'd a cow 226There was an old man 162There was an old man of Tobago 161There was an old woman 155There was ...
Produced by Dennis SchreinerTHE HOME BOOK OF VERSE, VOLUME 1By VariousEdited by Burton Egbert StevensonTHE HOME BOOK OF VERSE, VOLUME 1By VariousEdited by Burton Egbert StevensonContents of Volume I of the two volume set This includes contents of Volumes 1 through 4 of our Etext editions.PART IPOEMS OF YOUTH AND AGEThe...
Reeds of Innocence William Blake The Wonderful World William Brighty Rands The World's Music Gabriel Setoun A Boy's Song James Hogg Going Down Hill On a Bicycle Henry Charles Beeching Playgrounds Laurence Alma-Tadema "Who Has S...
Maidenhood Henry Wadsworth Longfellow To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time Robert Herrick To Mistress Margaret Hussey John Skelton On Her Coming To London Edmund Waller "O, Saw Ye Bonny Lesley" Robert Burns To a Young Lady William Co...
"Now What is Love" Walter Raleigh Wooing Song, "Love is the Blossom where there blows" Giles Fletcher Rosalind's Madrigal, "Love in My bosom" Thomas Lodge Song, "Love is a sickness full of woes" Samuel Daniel Love's Perjuries Will...
"Forget not Yet" Thomas Wyatt Fawnia Robert Greene The Passionate Shepherd to His Love Christopher Marlowe The Nymph's Reply to the Passionate Shepherd Walter Raleigh "Wrong not, Sweet Empress of My Heart" ...
Lips and Eyes Thomas Middleton The Kiss Ben Jonson "Take, O Take Those Lips Away" John Fletcher A Stolen Kiss George Wither Song, "My Love bound me with a kiss" Unknown To Electra Rob...
"Sigh no More, Ladies" William Shakespeare A Renunciation Edward Vere A Song, "Ye happy swains, whose hearts are free" George Etherege To His Forsaken Mistress Robert Ayton To an Inconstant Robert Ayton Advice to a Girl Thomas Campion ...
Song, "O mistress mine, where are you roaming" William Shakespeare "Go, Lovely Rose" Edmund Waller To the Rose: A Song Robert Herrick Memory William Browne To Lucasta, Going to the Wars Richard Lovelace To Lucasta...
Helen of Kirconnell Unknown Willy Drowned in Yarrow Unknown Annan Water Unknown The Lament of the Border Widow Unknown Aspatia's Song from "The Maid's Tragedy" John Fletcher A Ballad, "'Twas when the seas were ro...
"My True-love Hath My Heart" Philip Sidney Song, "O sweet delight" Thomas Campion The Good-Morrow John Donne "There's Gowd in the Breast" James Hogg The Beggar Maid Alfred Tennyson Refuge A.E. At Sunset Louis V. Ledoux...
Song, "Phoebus, arise" William Drummond Hymn of Apollo Percy Bysshe Shelley Prelude to "The New Day" Richard Watson Gilder Dawn on the Headland William Watson The Miracle of the Dawn Madison Cawein Dawn-angels A. Mary F. Robinson Music ...
My Garden Thomas Edward Brown The Garden Andrew Marvell A Garden Andrew Marvell A Garden Song Austin Dobson In Green Old Gardens Violet Fane A Benedictine Garden Alice Brown An Autumn Garden ...
Song for all Seas, all Ships Walt Whitman Stanzas from "The Triumph of Time" Algernon Charles Swinburne The Sea from "Childe Harold's Pilgrimage" George Gordon Byron On the Sea John Keats "With Ships the Sea was Sprinkled" ...
Time to be Wise Walter Savage Landor Under the Lindens Walter Savage Landor Advice Walter Savage Landor To Fanny Thomas Moore "I'd be a Butterfly" Thomas Haynes Bayly "I'm not a Single Man" Thomas Hood To -----...
The Vicar of Bray Unknown The Lost Leader Robert Browning Ichabod John Greenleaf Whittier What Mr. Robinson Thinks James Russell Lowell The Debate in the Sennit James Russell Lowell The Marquis of Carabas Robert Brough A Modest Wit...
What makes the light in them sparkle and spin? Some of the starry spikes left in.Where did you get that little tear? I found it waiting when I got here.What makes your forehead so smooth and high? A soft hand stroked it as I went by.What makes your cheek like a warm white rose? I saw something better than any one knows...
Cheeks as soft as July peaches, Lips whose dewy scarlet teaches Poppies paleness--round large eyes Ever great with new surprise, Minutes filled with shadeless gladness, Minutes just as brimmed with sadness, Happy smiles and wailing cries, Crows and laughs and tearful eyes, Lights and shadows swifter born Than on wind-s...
Their glance might cast out pain and sin, Their speech make dumb the wise, By mute glad godhead felt within A baby's eyes.Algernon Charles Swinburne [1837-1909]LITTLE FEETTwo little feet, so small that both may nestle In one caressing hand,-- Two tender feet upon the untried border Of life's mysterious land.Dimpled, an...
Then does one chance, in fancy, hear, Small feet in childish patter, Tread soft as they a grave draw near, And voices hush their chatter; 'Tis small and new; they pause in fear, Beneath the gray church tower, To consecrate it with a tear, And deck it with a flower.Who can predict the future, Kate-- Your fondest aspirat...
MOTHER GOOSE'S MELODIESMistress Mary, quite contrary, How does your garden grow? With cockle-shells, and silver bells, And pretty maids all in a row.There was an old woman who lived in a shoe, She had so many children she didn't know what to do; She gave them some broth without any bread; Then whipped them all soundly ...
Hush-a-bye, baby, on the tree-top, When the wind blows the cradle will rock; When the bough breaks, the cradle will fall, Down will come baby, bough, cradle, and all.To market, to market, to buy a fat pig, Home again, home again, jiggety-jig; To market, to market, to buy a fat hog, Home again, home again, jiggety-jog; ...
The king and queen did eat thereof, And noblemen beside; And what they could not eat that night, The queen next morning fried.THE BELLS OF LONDONGay go up, and gay go down, To ring the bells of London town.Bull's eyes and targets, Say the bells of Saint Marg'ret's.Brickbats and tiles, Say the bells of Saint Giles'.Half...
Who'll be chief mourner? "I," said the Dove, "I mourn for my love; I'll be chief mourner."Who'll bear the torch? "I," said the Linnet, "I'll come in a minute, I'll bear the torch."Who'll sing his dirge? "I," said the thrush. "As I sing in the bush I'll sing his dirge."Who'll bear the pall? "We," said the Wren, Both the...
August brings the sheaves of corn, Then the harvest home is borne.Warm September brings the fruit; Sportsmen then begin to shoot.Fresh October brings the pheasant; Then to gather nuts is pleasant.Dull November brings the blast; Then the leaves are whirling fast.Chill December brings the sleet, Blazing fire, and Christm...
Wynken and Blynken are two little eyes, And Nod is a little head, And the wooden shoe that sailed the skies Is a wee one's trundle-bed; So shut your eyes while Mother sings Of wonderful sights that be, And you shall see the beautiful things As you rock in the misty sea Where the old shoe rocked the fishermen three:-- W...
Weep not, my wanton, smile upon my knee; When thou art old there's grief enough for thee. The wanton smiled, father wept, Mother cried, baby leapt; More he crowed, more we cried, Nature could not sorrow hide: He must go, he must kiss Child and mother, baby bliss, For he left his pretty boy, Father's sorrow, father's jo...
O the cunning wiles that creep In thy little heart asleep! When thy little heart doth wake, Then the dreadful night shall break.William Blake [1757-1827]LULLABYBaloo, loo, lammy, now baloo, my dear, Does wee lammy ken that its daddy's no here? Ye're rocking full sweetly on mammy's warm knee, But daddy's a-rocking upon ...
I've found my bonny babe a nest On Slumber Tree, I'll rock you there to rosy rest, Asthore Machree! Oh, lulla lo! sing all the leaves On Slumber Tree, Till everything that hurts or grieves Afar must flee.I've put my pretty child to float Away from me, Within the new moon's silver boat On Slumber Sea. And when your star...
Mithers hae an awfu' wark Wi' their bairns at nicht, Chappin' on the chair wi' tangs, To gie the rogues a fricht; Aulder bairns are fleyed wi' less, Weel eneuch we ken, Bigger bogies, bigger Jennies, Frichten muckle men.Alexander Anderson [1845-1909]CUDDLE DOONThe bairnies cuddle doon at nicht Wi' muckie faucht an' din...
She shall sit by my side, and I'll give her some food; And she'll love me because I am gentle and good. I'll pat little Pussy and then she will purr, And thus show her thanks for my kindness to her.I'll not pinch her ears, nor tread on her paw, Lest I should provoke her to use her sharp claw; I never will vex her, nor ...
MEDDLESOME MATTYOne ugly trick has often spoiled The sweetest and the best; Matilda, though a pleasant child, One ugly trick possessed, Which, like a cloud before the skies, Hid all her better qualities.Sometimes she'd lift the tea-pot lid, To peep at what was in it; Or tilt the kettle, if you did But turn your back a ...
My youth is but a summer's day: Then like the bee and ant I'll lay A store of learning by; And though from flower to flower I rove, My stock of wisdom I'll improve, Nor be a butterfly.Adelaide O'Keefe [1776-1855]MORNINGThe lark is up to meet the sun, The bee is on the wing, The ant her labor has begun, The woods with m...
THE STORY OF LITTLE SUCK-A-THUMBOne day, mamma said: "Conrad dear, I must go out and leave you here. But mind now, Conrad, what I say, Don't suck your thumb while I'm away. The great tall tailor always comes To little boys that suck their thumbs; And ere they dream what he's about, He takes his great sharp scissors out...
THE WIND'S SONGO winds that blow across the sea, What is the story that you bring? Leaves clap their hands on every tree And birds about their branches sing.You sing to flowers and trees and birds Your sea-songs over all the land. Could you not stay and whisper words A little child might understand?The roses nod to hea...
Nay,--stay! I wish I were an Elm-tree, A great lofty Elm-tree, with green leaves gay! The winds would set them dancing, The sun and moonshine glance in, The Birds would house among the boughs, And sweetly sing!O--no! I wish I were a Robin, A Robin or a little Wren, everywhere to go; Through forest, field, or garden, ...
Now, my little boy, remember that, And try to be kind and good, When you see the woodpecker's sooty dress, And see her scarlet hood.You mayn't be changed to a bird though you live As selfishly as you can; But you will be changed to a smaller thing-- A mean and selfish man.Phoebe Cary [1824-1871]THE CRICKET'S STORYThe h...
"Well, well, go and play till the light fades away, And then go home to bed." The little ones leaped and shouted and laughed; And all the hills echoed.William Blake [1757-1827]JACK FROSTThe door was shut, as doors should be, Before you went to bed last night; Yet Jack Frost has got in, you see, And left your window sil...
"Chariots of gold," says Timothy, "Silvery wings," says Elaine; "A bumpety ride in a wagon of hay For me," says Jane.Walter de la Mare [1873-MY SHADOWI have a little shadow that goes in and out with me, And what can be the use of him is more than I can see. He is very, very like me from the heels up to the head; And I ...
Two little girls are better than one, Two little boys can double the fun, Two little birds can build a fine nest, Two little arms can love mother best. Two little ponies must go to a span; Two little pockets has my little man; Two little eyes to open and close, Two little ears and one little nose, Two little elbows, di...
An' one time a little girl 'ud allus laugh an' grin, An' make fun of ever' one, an' all her blood-an'-kin; An' onc't when they was "company," an' ole folks was there, She mocked 'em an' shocked 'em, an' said she didn't care! An' thist as she kicked her heels, an' turn't to run an' hide, They was two great big Black Thi...
I crept along in the darkness, Stunned, and bruised, and blinded,-- Crept to a fir with thick-set boughs, And a sheltering rock behind it.There, from the blowing and raining, Crouching, I sought to hide me: Something rustled, two green eyes shone, And a wolf lay down beside me.Little one, be not frightened; I and the w...
"My dearest Jenny Wren, If you will but be mine, You shall dine on cherry pie, And drink nice currant wine. I'll dress you like a Goldfinch, Or like a Peacock gay; So if you'll have me, Jenny, Let us appoint the day."Jenny blushed behind her fan, And thus declared her mind: "Then let it be to-morrow, Bob, I take your o...
The fellow, that did take in hand These children for to kill, Was for a robbery judged to die, Such was God's blessed will: Who did confess the very truth As here hath been displayed: Their uncle having died in jail, Where he for debt was laid.You that executors be made, And overseers eke Of children that be fatherless...
VII Into the street the Piper stepped, Smiling first a little smile, As if he knew what magic slept In his quiet pipe the while; Then, like a musical adept, To blow the pipe his lips he wrinkled, And green and blue his sharp eyes twinkled, Like a candle-flame where salt is sprinkled; And ere three shrill notes the pipe...
He came all so still Where His mother was, As dew in April That falleth on the grass.He came all so still Where His mother lay, As dew in April That falleth on the spray.He came all so still To His mother's bower, As dew in April That falleth on the flower.Mother and maiden Was never none but she! Well might such a lad...
"My faultless breast the furnace is; The fuel, wounding thorns; Love is the fire, and sighs the smoke; The ashes, shames and scorns; The fuel Justice layeth on, And Mercy blows the coals, The metal in this furnace wrought Are men's defiled souls: For which, as now on fire I am To work them to their good, So will I melt...
There was a gentle hostler (And blessed be his name!) He opened up the stable The night Our Lady came. Our Lady and St. Joseph, He gave them food and bed, And Jesus Christ has given him A glory round his head.So let the gate swing open However poor the yard, Lest weary People visit you And find their Passage barred. Un...
For Christmas, with its lots an' lots of candies, cakes an' toys, Was made, they say, for proper kids an' not for naughty boys; So wash yer face an' bresh yer hair, an' mind yer p's an' q's, An' don't bust out yer pantaloons, an' don't wear out yer shoes; Say "Yessum" to the ladies, an' "Yessur" to the men, An' when th...
Such music (as 'tis said) Before was never made But when of old the sons of morning sung, While the Creator great His constellations set And the well-balanced world on hinges hung; And cast the dark foundations deep, And bid the weltering waves their oozy channel keep.Ring out, ye crystal spheres! Once bless our human ...
Under a toadstool crept a wee Elf, Out of the rain, to shelter himself.Under the toadstool sound asleep, Sat a big Dormouse all in a heap.Trembled the wee Elf, frightened, and yet Fearing to fly away lest he get wet.To the next shelter--maybe a mile! Sudden the wee Elf smiled a wee smile,Tugged till the toadstool toppl...
Mary Howitt [1799-1888]THE FAIRIESUp the airy mountain, Down the rushy glen, We daren't go a-hunting For fear of little men; Wee folk, good folk, Trooping all together; Green jacket, red cap, And white owl's feather!Down along the rocky shore Some make their home, They live on crispy pancakes Of yellow tide-foam; Some ...
"It is a cyclops' glaring eye." "A temple dome from Babylon." "A Titan's cup of ivory." "A little sun."The tiny satyr jumped for joy, And kicked hoofs in utmost glee. "It is a wondrous silver toy-- Bring it to me!"A great wind whistled through the blue And caught the moon and tossed it high; A bubble of pale fire it fl...
Little hands so glad of giving, Little heart so glad of love, Little soul so glad of living, While the strong swift hours are weaving Light with darkness woven above, Time for mirth and time for grieving, Plume of raven and plume of dove.I can give you but a word Warm with love therein for leaven, But a song that falls...
Oh for boyhood's painless play, Sleep that wakes in laughing day, Health that mocks the doctor's rules, Knowledge never learned of schools, Of the wild bee's morning chase, Of the wild flower's time and place, Flight of fowl and habitude Of the tenants of the wood; How the tortoise bears his shell, How the woodchuck di...
Her eyes are like forget-me-nots, So loving, kind and true; Her lips are like a pink sea-shell Just as the sun shines through; Her hair is like the waving grain In summer's golden light; And, best of all, her little soul Is, like a lily, white.Gustav Kobbe [1857-1918]A PARENTAL ODE TO MY SON Aged Three Years And Five M...
Meantime, whilst every verdant thing Itself does at thy beauty charm, Reform the errors of the Spring; Make that the tulips may have share Of sweetness, seeing they are fair, And roses of their thorns disarm But most procure That violets may a longer age endure.But O young beauty of the woods, Whom Nature courts with f...
Tired of play! Tired of play! What hast thou done this live-long day! The bird is silent and so is the bee, The shadow is creeping up steeple and tree; The doves have flown to the sheltering eaves, And the nests are dark with the drooping leaves; Twilight gathers, and day is done,-- How hast thou spent it, restless on...
"For, all day, the wheels are droning, turning; Their wind comes in our faces, Till our hearts turn, our heads, with pulses burning, And the walls turn in their places: Turns the sky in the high window blank and reeling, Turns the long light that drops adown the wall, Turn the black flies that crawl along the ceiling: ...
Our doctor had called in another, I never had seen him before, But he sent a chill to my heart when I saw him come in at the door, Fresh from the surgery-schools of France and of other lands-- Harsh red hair, big voice, big chest, big merciless hands! Wonderful cures he had done, O yes, but they said too of him He was ...
"Now, don't you go till I come," he said, "And don't you make any noise!" So, toddling off to his trundle-bed, He dreamt of the pretty toys; And, as he was dreaming, an angel song Awakened our Little Boy Blue-- Oh! the years are many, the years are long, But the little toy friends are true!Ay, faithful to Little Boy Bl...
If some tender mother, whose babe on earth is living, Takes his little hand to guide his stranger feet 'Mid the countless hosts that cross the floor of heaven, Thou wilt not reprove her for Thy pity sweet.If upon her breast she holds his baby beauty, All his golden hair will fall about her hand, Laughing let her finger...
Each day, when the glow of sunset Fades in the western sky, And the wee ones, tired of playing, Go tripping lightly by, I steal away from my husband, Asleep in his easy-chair, And watch from the open doorway Their faces fresh and fair.Alone in the dear old homestead That once was full of life, Ringing with girlish laug...
"But they are dead; those two are dead! Their spirits are in heaven!" 'Twas throwing words away; for still The little Maid would have her will, And said, "Nay, we are seven!"William Wordsworth [1770-1850]MY CHILDI cannot make him dead! His fair sunshiny head Is ever bounding round my study chair; Yet when my eyes, now ...
II Two springs she saw--two radiant Tuscan springs, What time the wild red tulips are aflame In the new wheat, and wreaths of young vine frame The daffodils that every light breeze swings; And the anemones that April brings Make purple pools, as if Adonis came Just there to die; and Florence scrolls her name In every b...
Edmund Waller [1606-1687]"O, SAW YE BONNY LESLEY"O saw ye bonny Lesley As she gaed owre the Border? She's gane, like Alexander, To spread her conquests farther.To see her is to love her, And love but her for ever; For nature made her what she is, And ne'er made sic anither!Thou art a queen, fair Lesley, Thy subjects we...
Yet child-simple, undefiled, Frank, obedient, waiting still On the turnings of your will.Moving light, as all young things, As young birds, or early wheat When the wind blows over it.Only, free from flutterings Of loud mirth that scorneth measure-- Taking love for her chief pleasure.Choosing pleasures, for the rest, Wh...
Halfway up the Hemlock valley turnpike, In the bend of Silver Water's arm, Where the deer come trooping down at even, Drink the cowslip pool, and fear no harm, Dwells Emilia, Flower of the fields of Camlet Farm.Sitting sewing by the western window As the too brief mountain sunshine flies, Hast thou seen a slender-shoul...
Gray Eld must travel in my company To seal this severance more fast and sure. A joyless fellowship, i' faith, 'twill be, Yet must we fare together, I and he, Till I shall tread the footpath way no more.But when a blackbird pipes among the boughs, On some dim, iridescent day in spring, Then I may dream you are rememberi...
'Tis time this heart should be unmoved, Since others it hath ceased to move: Yet, though I cannot be beloved, Still let me love!My days are in the yellow leaf; The flowers and fruits of love are gone; The worm, the canker, and the grief Are mine alone!The fire that on my bosom preys Is lone as some volcanic isle; No to...
I am not young; I am not old; The flush of morn, the sunset calm, Paling and deepening, each to each, Meet midway with a solemn charm.One side I see the summer fields, Not yet disrobed of all their green; While westerly, along the hills, Flame the first tints of frosty sheen.Ah, middle-point, where cloud and storm Make...
VIII Thou, whose exterior semblance doth belie Thy Soul's immensity; Thou best Philosopher, who yet dost keep Thy heritage, thou Eye among the blind, That, deaf and silent, read'st the eternal deep, Haunted for ever by the eternal mind,-- Mighty Prophet! Seer blest! On whom those truths do rest, Which we are toiling al...
And now I see with eye serene The very pulse of the machine; A being breathing thoughtful breath, A traveller between life and death; The reason firm, the temperate will, Endurance, foresight, strength, and skill; A perfect Woman, nobly planned, To warn, to comfort, and command; And yet a Spirit still, and bright With ...
Coventry Patmore [1823-1896]A HEALTHI fill this cup to one made up Of loveliness alone, A woman, of her gentle sex The seeming paragon; To whom the better elements And kindly stars have given A form so fair, that, like the air, 'Tis less of earth than heaven.Her every tone is music's own, Like those of morning birds, A...

This didn't sound like the blithe-spirited girl he'd pursued for a year, then wooed and subdued. Lance studied her, then said slowly: "You're scared. About what? My first flight?"Carolyn's head bobbed timidly.Lance flashed a reassuring grin. "Everything has to be a brand-new experience, at some time or other. Me, I pre...

Lance turned. "Good-by, Carolyn. Just four weeks now, like I said.""I'll be waiting.""First jump's always the hardest, I hear," spoke up the second aide, cheerily. Like a great many other execs, the officer boasted no active space rating, though he did wear the winged moons of an observer.But Lance and Carolyn were aga...

"Put this man under close confinement," he ordered Lance's guards. "Allow no visitors of any kind." The colonel's tone was harsh and worried. "I've got to buck this matter to HQ. We can't have it blow up right now, God knows."The space police nudged Lance. "All right, major. Let's go."Lance's anger seethed to a boil. H...

"Don't malarky me, please. You know who I am and who I want. Carolyn, your daughter.""Oh," said Mrs. Sagen. It was said in a way that revealed nothing."Look," said Lance, impatiently. "You do have a daughter. I've dated her. So, all right," he waved his hands, "she's been spirited away for some reason. I still think I'...

"Just what I need? What else do you intend to do? Hypnotize me, so you can erase all my past?"The colonel scowled. "Look here, major. You co-operate and learn to keep your mouth shut, we may be able to restore you to duty. But if not ... well, what happens then will be entirely up to Nordsen. It could mean a padded cel...

For one despairing moment, Lance felt almost like hurling himself through the window. Then, he straightened up. His mouth compressed into a thin line. "If I must face the facts, I must. But," his tone edged off into irony, "it sure isn't easy. You'll have to give me time."Colonel Nordsen stood up, held out his hand. "I...

"You bet your last commendation ribbon she was. And she's going to! Hey!" Lance shouted. "Anything wrong with her? She's not sick or--"The voice of the first operator at Traffic came back on. "The captain had to take off. No sir, major. She's not sick. We just don't know how she's gonna take this, is all.""With bells o...

Produced by David Edwards, Emmy and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This book was produced from scanned images of public domain material from the Google Print project.)The Nursery Rhyme Book[Illustration: Little Bo-Peep]THE NURSERY RHYME BOOKEDITED BY ANDREW LANGILLUSTRATED BY L. LESLI...

As to Tom the Piper's Son, he was probably the son of a Highlander, for they were mostly on Charley's side, who was "Over the hills and far away." Another song says--"There was a wind, it came to me Over the south and over the sea, And it has blown my corn and hay Over the hills and far...

Four-and-twenty tailors went to kill a snail 224There was a piper, he'd a cow 226A long-tail'd pig, or a short-tail'd pig 229Dame, what makes your ducks to die? 231Little Tom Tinker's dog ...

A WAS an apple-pie; B bit it; C cut it; D dealt it; E ate it; F fought for it; G got it; H had it; J joined it; K kept it; L longed for it; M mourned for it; N nodded at it; O opened it; ...

OLD Mother Goose, when She wanted to wander, Would ride through the air On a very fine gander.Mother Goose had a house, 'Twas built in a wood, Where an owl at the door For sentinel stood.This is her son Jack, A plain-looking lad, He is not ...

MONDAY'S bairn is fair of face, Tuesday's bairn is full of grace, Wednesday's bairn is full of woe, Thursday's bairn has far to go, Friday's bairn is loving and giving, Saturday's bairn works hard for its living, But the bairn that is born on the Sabbath day ...

Silver and gold will be stole away, Dance o'er my Lady Lee; Silver and gold will be stole away, With a gay lady.Build it up with iron and steel, Dance o'er my Lady Lee; Build it up with iron and steel, With a gay lady.Iron and steel will bend and bow, ...

UP at Piccadilly oh! The coachman takes his stand, And when he meets a pretty girl, He takes her by the hand. Whip away for ever oh! Drive away so clever oh! All the way to Bristol oh! He drives her four-in-hand.[Illustration: Decor...

BLACK we are but much admired; Men seek for us till they are tired. We tire the horse, but comfort man; Tell me this riddle if you can. [_Coals._[Illustration: Decoration]THERE were three sisters in a hall; There came a knight amongst them all:...

[Illustration: Cushy cow bonny, let down thy milk]CUSHY cow bonny, let down thy milk, And I will give thee a gown of silk; A gown of silk and a silver tee, If thou wilt let down thy milk to me. If you love me, pop and fly; If you hate me, lie and die. [_Said...

She took a clean dish To get him some tripe, But when she came back He was smoking his pipe.She went to the fishmonger's To buy him some fish, And when she came back He was licking the dish.She went to the ale-house To get him some beer, ...

1. I WENT up one pair of stairs. 2. Just like me. 1. I went up two pair of stairs. 2. Just like me. 1. I went into a room. 2. Just like me. 1. I looked out of a window. 2. Just like me. 1. And there I saw a monkey. 2. Ju...

FIDDLE-DE-DEE, fiddle-de-dee, The fly shall marry the humble-bee. They went to the church, and married was she: The fly has married the humble-bee.[Illustration: Decoration]TO market, to market, to buy a fat pig; Home again, home again, dancing a jig Ride to the marke...

[Illustration: Decoration]DID you see my wife, did you see, did you see, Did you see my wife looking for me? She wears a straw bonnet, with white ribbands on it, And dimity petticoats over her knee.[Illustration: Decoration]I DOUBT, I doubt, my fire is out; My little wife i...

A LONG-TAIL'D pig, or a short-tail'd pig, Or a pig without e'er a tail, A sow-pig, or a boar-pig, Or a pig with a curly tail.[Illustration: Decoration]A LITTLE cock-sparrow sat on a green tree (_tris_), And he cherruped, he cherruped, so merry was he (_tris_); A lit...

JENNY WREN fell sick, Upon a merry time; In came Robin-Redbreast And brought her sops and wine."Eat well of the sops, Jenny, Drink well of the wine." "Thank you, Robin, kindly, You shall be mine."Jenny she got well, And stood upon her feet,...

THIS is the key of the kingdom. In that kingdom there is a city. In that city there is a town. In that town there is a street. In that street there is a lane. In that lane there is a yard. In that yard there is a house. In that house there is a room....

was known in ancient Rome as _bucca_, though it would be audacious to infer that it arrived in Britain since the Norman Conquest. Hop-scotch is also exceedingly ancient, and the curious will find the theories of its origin in Mr. Gomme's learned work on Children's Dances and Songs, published by the Folk-Lore Society. D...

Georgey Porgey, pudding and pie 215Girls and boys, come out to play 267God bless the master of this house 242Goosey, goosey, gander 243Great A, little a 43Grey goose...

There was a monkey climbed up a tree 39There was a piper, he'd a cow 226There was an old man 162There was an old man of Tobago 161There was an old woman 155There was ...

Produced by Dennis SchreinerTHE HOME BOOK OF VERSE, VOLUME 1By VariousEdited by Burton Egbert StevensonTHE HOME BOOK OF VERSE, VOLUME 1By VariousEdited by Burton Egbert StevensonContents of Volume I of the two volume set This includes contents of Volumes 1 through 4 of our Etext editions.PART IPOEMS OF YOUTH AND AGEThe...

Reeds of Innocence William Blake The Wonderful World William Brighty Rands The World's Music Gabriel Setoun A Boy's Song James Hogg Going Down Hill On a Bicycle Henry Charles Beeching Playgrounds Laurence Alma-Tadema "Who Has S...

Maidenhood Henry Wadsworth Longfellow To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time Robert Herrick To Mistress Margaret Hussey John Skelton On Her Coming To London Edmund Waller "O, Saw Ye Bonny Lesley" Robert Burns To a Young Lady William Co...

"Now What is Love" Walter Raleigh Wooing Song, "Love is the Blossom where there blows" Giles Fletcher Rosalind's Madrigal, "Love in My bosom" Thomas Lodge Song, "Love is a sickness full of woes" Samuel Daniel Love's Perjuries Will...

"Forget not Yet" Thomas Wyatt Fawnia Robert Greene The Passionate Shepherd to His Love Christopher Marlowe The Nymph's Reply to the Passionate Shepherd Walter Raleigh "Wrong not, Sweet Empress of My Heart" ...

Lips and Eyes Thomas Middleton The Kiss Ben Jonson "Take, O Take Those Lips Away" John Fletcher A Stolen Kiss George Wither Song, "My Love bound me with a kiss" Unknown To Electra Rob...

"Sigh no More, Ladies" William Shakespeare A Renunciation Edward Vere A Song, "Ye happy swains, whose hearts are free" George Etherege To His Forsaken Mistress Robert Ayton To an Inconstant Robert Ayton Advice to a Girl Thomas Campion ...

Song, "O mistress mine, where are you roaming" William Shakespeare "Go, Lovely Rose" Edmund Waller To the Rose: A Song Robert Herrick Memory William Browne To Lucasta, Going to the Wars Richard Lovelace To Lucasta...

Helen of Kirconnell Unknown Willy Drowned in Yarrow Unknown Annan Water Unknown The Lament of the Border Widow Unknown Aspatia's Song from "The Maid's Tragedy" John Fletcher A Ballad, "'Twas when the seas were ro...

"My True-love Hath My Heart" Philip Sidney Song, "O sweet delight" Thomas Campion The Good-Morrow John Donne "There's Gowd in the Breast" James Hogg The Beggar Maid Alfred Tennyson Refuge A.E. At Sunset Louis V. Ledoux...

Song, "Phoebus, arise" William Drummond Hymn of Apollo Percy Bysshe Shelley Prelude to "The New Day" Richard Watson Gilder Dawn on the Headland William Watson The Miracle of the Dawn Madison Cawein Dawn-angels A. Mary F. Robinson Music ...

My Garden Thomas Edward Brown The Garden Andrew Marvell A Garden Andrew Marvell A Garden Song Austin Dobson In Green Old Gardens Violet Fane A Benedictine Garden Alice Brown An Autumn Garden ...

Song for all Seas, all Ships Walt Whitman Stanzas from "The Triumph of Time" Algernon Charles Swinburne The Sea from "Childe Harold's Pilgrimage" George Gordon Byron On the Sea John Keats "With Ships the Sea was Sprinkled" ...

Time to be Wise Walter Savage Landor Under the Lindens Walter Savage Landor Advice Walter Savage Landor To Fanny Thomas Moore "I'd be a Butterfly" Thomas Haynes Bayly "I'm not a Single Man" Thomas Hood To -----...

The Vicar of Bray Unknown The Lost Leader Robert Browning Ichabod John Greenleaf Whittier What Mr. Robinson Thinks James Russell Lowell The Debate in the Sennit James Russell Lowell The Marquis of Carabas Robert Brough A Modest Wit...

What makes the light in them sparkle and spin? Some of the starry spikes left in.Where did you get that little tear? I found it waiting when I got here.What makes your forehead so smooth and high? A soft hand stroked it as I went by.What makes your cheek like a warm white rose? I saw something better than any one knows...

Cheeks as soft as July peaches, Lips whose dewy scarlet teaches Poppies paleness--round large eyes Ever great with new surprise, Minutes filled with shadeless gladness, Minutes just as brimmed with sadness, Happy smiles and wailing cries, Crows and laughs and tearful eyes, Lights and shadows swifter born Than on wind-s...

Their glance might cast out pain and sin, Their speech make dumb the wise, By mute glad godhead felt within A baby's eyes.Algernon Charles Swinburne [1837-1909]LITTLE FEETTwo little feet, so small that both may nestle In one caressing hand,-- Two tender feet upon the untried border Of life's mysterious land.Dimpled, an...

Then does one chance, in fancy, hear, Small feet in childish patter, Tread soft as they a grave draw near, And voices hush their chatter; 'Tis small and new; they pause in fear, Beneath the gray church tower, To consecrate it with a tear, And deck it with a flower.Who can predict the future, Kate-- Your fondest aspirat...

MOTHER GOOSE'S MELODIESMistress Mary, quite contrary, How does your garden grow? With cockle-shells, and silver bells, And pretty maids all in a row.There was an old woman who lived in a shoe, She had so many children she didn't know what to do; She gave them some broth without any bread; Then whipped them all soundly ...

Hush-a-bye, baby, on the tree-top, When the wind blows the cradle will rock; When the bough breaks, the cradle will fall, Down will come baby, bough, cradle, and all.To market, to market, to buy a fat pig, Home again, home again, jiggety-jig; To market, to market, to buy a fat hog, Home again, home again, jiggety-jog; ...

The king and queen did eat thereof, And noblemen beside; And what they could not eat that night, The queen next morning fried.THE BELLS OF LONDONGay go up, and gay go down, To ring the bells of London town.Bull's eyes and targets, Say the bells of Saint Marg'ret's.Brickbats and tiles, Say the bells of Saint Giles'.Half...

Who'll be chief mourner? "I," said the Dove, "I mourn for my love; I'll be chief mourner."Who'll bear the torch? "I," said the Linnet, "I'll come in a minute, I'll bear the torch."Who'll sing his dirge? "I," said the thrush. "As I sing in the bush I'll sing his dirge."Who'll bear the pall? "We," said the Wren, Both the...

August brings the sheaves of corn, Then the harvest home is borne.Warm September brings the fruit; Sportsmen then begin to shoot.Fresh October brings the pheasant; Then to gather nuts is pleasant.Dull November brings the blast; Then the leaves are whirling fast.Chill December brings the sleet, Blazing fire, and Christm...

Wynken and Blynken are two little eyes, And Nod is a little head, And the wooden shoe that sailed the skies Is a wee one's trundle-bed; So shut your eyes while Mother sings Of wonderful sights that be, And you shall see the beautiful things As you rock in the misty sea Where the old shoe rocked the fishermen three:-- W...

Weep not, my wanton, smile upon my knee; When thou art old there's grief enough for thee. The wanton smiled, father wept, Mother cried, baby leapt; More he crowed, more we cried, Nature could not sorrow hide: He must go, he must kiss Child and mother, baby bliss, For he left his pretty boy, Father's sorrow, father's jo...

O the cunning wiles that creep In thy little heart asleep! When thy little heart doth wake, Then the dreadful night shall break.William Blake [1757-1827]LULLABYBaloo, loo, lammy, now baloo, my dear, Does wee lammy ken that its daddy's no here? Ye're rocking full sweetly on mammy's warm knee, But daddy's a-rocking upon ...

I've found my bonny babe a nest On Slumber Tree, I'll rock you there to rosy rest, Asthore Machree! Oh, lulla lo! sing all the leaves On Slumber Tree, Till everything that hurts or grieves Afar must flee.I've put my pretty child to float Away from me, Within the new moon's silver boat On Slumber Sea. And when your star...

Mithers hae an awfu' wark Wi' their bairns at nicht, Chappin' on the chair wi' tangs, To gie the rogues a fricht; Aulder bairns are fleyed wi' less, Weel eneuch we ken, Bigger bogies, bigger Jennies, Frichten muckle men.Alexander Anderson [1845-1909]CUDDLE DOONThe bairnies cuddle doon at nicht Wi' muckie faucht an' din...

She shall sit by my side, and I'll give her some food; And she'll love me because I am gentle and good. I'll pat little Pussy and then she will purr, And thus show her thanks for my kindness to her.I'll not pinch her ears, nor tread on her paw, Lest I should provoke her to use her sharp claw; I never will vex her, nor ...

MEDDLESOME MATTYOne ugly trick has often spoiled The sweetest and the best; Matilda, though a pleasant child, One ugly trick possessed, Which, like a cloud before the skies, Hid all her better qualities.Sometimes she'd lift the tea-pot lid, To peep at what was in it; Or tilt the kettle, if you did But turn your back a ...

My youth is but a summer's day: Then like the bee and ant I'll lay A store of learning by; And though from flower to flower I rove, My stock of wisdom I'll improve, Nor be a butterfly.Adelaide O'Keefe [1776-1855]MORNINGThe lark is up to meet the sun, The bee is on the wing, The ant her labor has begun, The woods with m...

THE STORY OF LITTLE SUCK-A-THUMBOne day, mamma said: "Conrad dear, I must go out and leave you here. But mind now, Conrad, what I say, Don't suck your thumb while I'm away. The great tall tailor always comes To little boys that suck their thumbs; And ere they dream what he's about, He takes his great sharp scissors out...

THE WIND'S SONGO winds that blow across the sea, What is the story that you bring? Leaves clap their hands on every tree And birds about their branches sing.You sing to flowers and trees and birds Your sea-songs over all the land. Could you not stay and whisper words A little child might understand?The roses nod to hea...

Nay,--stay! I wish I were an Elm-tree, A great lofty Elm-tree, with green leaves gay! The winds would set them dancing, The sun and moonshine glance in, The Birds would house among the boughs, And sweetly sing!O--no! I wish I were a Robin, A Robin or a little Wren, everywhere to go; Through forest, field, or garden, ...

Now, my little boy, remember that, And try to be kind and good, When you see the woodpecker's sooty dress, And see her scarlet hood.You mayn't be changed to a bird though you live As selfishly as you can; But you will be changed to a smaller thing-- A mean and selfish man.Phoebe Cary [1824-1871]THE CRICKET'S STORYThe h...

"Well, well, go and play till the light fades away, And then go home to bed." The little ones leaped and shouted and laughed; And all the hills echoed.William Blake [1757-1827]JACK FROSTThe door was shut, as doors should be, Before you went to bed last night; Yet Jack Frost has got in, you see, And left your window sil...

"Chariots of gold," says Timothy, "Silvery wings," says Elaine; "A bumpety ride in a wagon of hay For me," says Jane.Walter de la Mare [1873-MY SHADOWI have a little shadow that goes in and out with me, And what can be the use of him is more than I can see. He is very, very like me from the heels up to the head; And I ...

Two little girls are better than one, Two little boys can double the fun, Two little birds can build a fine nest, Two little arms can love mother best. Two little ponies must go to a span; Two little pockets has my little man; Two little eyes to open and close, Two little ears and one little nose, Two little elbows, di...

An' one time a little girl 'ud allus laugh an' grin, An' make fun of ever' one, an' all her blood-an'-kin; An' onc't when they was "company," an' ole folks was there, She mocked 'em an' shocked 'em, an' said she didn't care! An' thist as she kicked her heels, an' turn't to run an' hide, They was two great big Black Thi...

I crept along in the darkness, Stunned, and bruised, and blinded,-- Crept to a fir with thick-set boughs, And a sheltering rock behind it.There, from the blowing and raining, Crouching, I sought to hide me: Something rustled, two green eyes shone, And a wolf lay down beside me.Little one, be not frightened; I and the w...

"My dearest Jenny Wren, If you will but be mine, You shall dine on cherry pie, And drink nice currant wine. I'll dress you like a Goldfinch, Or like a Peacock gay; So if you'll have me, Jenny, Let us appoint the day."Jenny blushed behind her fan, And thus declared her mind: "Then let it be to-morrow, Bob, I take your o...

The fellow, that did take in hand These children for to kill, Was for a robbery judged to die, Such was God's blessed will: Who did confess the very truth As here hath been displayed: Their uncle having died in jail, Where he for debt was laid.You that executors be made, And overseers eke Of children that be fatherless...

VII Into the street the Piper stepped, Smiling first a little smile, As if he knew what magic slept In his quiet pipe the while; Then, like a musical adept, To blow the pipe his lips he wrinkled, And green and blue his sharp eyes twinkled, Like a candle-flame where salt is sprinkled; And ere three shrill notes the pipe...

He came all so still Where His mother was, As dew in April That falleth on the grass.He came all so still Where His mother lay, As dew in April That falleth on the spray.He came all so still To His mother's bower, As dew in April That falleth on the flower.Mother and maiden Was never none but she! Well might such a lad...

"My faultless breast the furnace is; The fuel, wounding thorns; Love is the fire, and sighs the smoke; The ashes, shames and scorns; The fuel Justice layeth on, And Mercy blows the coals, The metal in this furnace wrought Are men's defiled souls: For which, as now on fire I am To work them to their good, So will I melt...

There was a gentle hostler (And blessed be his name!) He opened up the stable The night Our Lady came. Our Lady and St. Joseph, He gave them food and bed, And Jesus Christ has given him A glory round his head.So let the gate swing open However poor the yard, Lest weary People visit you And find their Passage barred. Un...

For Christmas, with its lots an' lots of candies, cakes an' toys, Was made, they say, for proper kids an' not for naughty boys; So wash yer face an' bresh yer hair, an' mind yer p's an' q's, An' don't bust out yer pantaloons, an' don't wear out yer shoes; Say "Yessum" to the ladies, an' "Yessur" to the men, An' when th...

Such music (as 'tis said) Before was never made But when of old the sons of morning sung, While the Creator great His constellations set And the well-balanced world on hinges hung; And cast the dark foundations deep, And bid the weltering waves their oozy channel keep.Ring out, ye crystal spheres! Once bless our human ...

Under a toadstool crept a wee Elf, Out of the rain, to shelter himself.Under the toadstool sound asleep, Sat a big Dormouse all in a heap.Trembled the wee Elf, frightened, and yet Fearing to fly away lest he get wet.To the next shelter--maybe a mile! Sudden the wee Elf smiled a wee smile,Tugged till the toadstool toppl...

Mary Howitt [1799-1888]THE FAIRIESUp the airy mountain, Down the rushy glen, We daren't go a-hunting For fear of little men; Wee folk, good folk, Trooping all together; Green jacket, red cap, And white owl's feather!Down along the rocky shore Some make their home, They live on crispy pancakes Of yellow tide-foam; Some ...

"It is a cyclops' glaring eye." "A temple dome from Babylon." "A Titan's cup of ivory." "A little sun."The tiny satyr jumped for joy, And kicked hoofs in utmost glee. "It is a wondrous silver toy-- Bring it to me!"A great wind whistled through the blue And caught the moon and tossed it high; A bubble of pale fire it fl...

Little hands so glad of giving, Little heart so glad of love, Little soul so glad of living, While the strong swift hours are weaving Light with darkness woven above, Time for mirth and time for grieving, Plume of raven and plume of dove.I can give you but a word Warm with love therein for leaven, But a song that falls...

Oh for boyhood's painless play, Sleep that wakes in laughing day, Health that mocks the doctor's rules, Knowledge never learned of schools, Of the wild bee's morning chase, Of the wild flower's time and place, Flight of fowl and habitude Of the tenants of the wood; How the tortoise bears his shell, How the woodchuck di...

Her eyes are like forget-me-nots, So loving, kind and true; Her lips are like a pink sea-shell Just as the sun shines through; Her hair is like the waving grain In summer's golden light; And, best of all, her little soul Is, like a lily, white.Gustav Kobbe [1857-1918]A PARENTAL ODE TO MY SON Aged Three Years And Five M...

Meantime, whilst every verdant thing Itself does at thy beauty charm, Reform the errors of the Spring; Make that the tulips may have share Of sweetness, seeing they are fair, And roses of their thorns disarm But most procure That violets may a longer age endure.But O young beauty of the woods, Whom Nature courts with f...

Tired of play! Tired of play! What hast thou done this live-long day! The bird is silent and so is the bee, The shadow is creeping up steeple and tree; The doves have flown to the sheltering eaves, And the nests are dark with the drooping leaves; Twilight gathers, and day is done,-- How hast thou spent it, restless on...

"For, all day, the wheels are droning, turning; Their wind comes in our faces, Till our hearts turn, our heads, with pulses burning, And the walls turn in their places: Turns the sky in the high window blank and reeling, Turns the long light that drops adown the wall, Turn the black flies that crawl along the ceiling: ...

Our doctor had called in another, I never had seen him before, But he sent a chill to my heart when I saw him come in at the door, Fresh from the surgery-schools of France and of other lands-- Harsh red hair, big voice, big chest, big merciless hands! Wonderful cures he had done, O yes, but they said too of him He was ...

"Now, don't you go till I come," he said, "And don't you make any noise!" So, toddling off to his trundle-bed, He dreamt of the pretty toys; And, as he was dreaming, an angel song Awakened our Little Boy Blue-- Oh! the years are many, the years are long, But the little toy friends are true!Ay, faithful to Little Boy Bl...

If some tender mother, whose babe on earth is living, Takes his little hand to guide his stranger feet 'Mid the countless hosts that cross the floor of heaven, Thou wilt not reprove her for Thy pity sweet.If upon her breast she holds his baby beauty, All his golden hair will fall about her hand, Laughing let her finger...

Each day, when the glow of sunset Fades in the western sky, And the wee ones, tired of playing, Go tripping lightly by, I steal away from my husband, Asleep in his easy-chair, And watch from the open doorway Their faces fresh and fair.Alone in the dear old homestead That once was full of life, Ringing with girlish laug...

"But they are dead; those two are dead! Their spirits are in heaven!" 'Twas throwing words away; for still The little Maid would have her will, And said, "Nay, we are seven!"William Wordsworth [1770-1850]MY CHILDI cannot make him dead! His fair sunshiny head Is ever bounding round my study chair; Yet when my eyes, now ...

II Two springs she saw--two radiant Tuscan springs, What time the wild red tulips are aflame In the new wheat, and wreaths of young vine frame The daffodils that every light breeze swings; And the anemones that April brings Make purple pools, as if Adonis came Just there to die; and Florence scrolls her name In every b...

Edmund Waller [1606-1687]"O, SAW YE BONNY LESLEY"O saw ye bonny Lesley As she gaed owre the Border? She's gane, like Alexander, To spread her conquests farther.To see her is to love her, And love but her for ever; For nature made her what she is, And ne'er made sic anither!Thou art a queen, fair Lesley, Thy subjects we...

Yet child-simple, undefiled, Frank, obedient, waiting still On the turnings of your will.Moving light, as all young things, As young birds, or early wheat When the wind blows over it.Only, free from flutterings Of loud mirth that scorneth measure-- Taking love for her chief pleasure.Choosing pleasures, for the rest, Wh...

Halfway up the Hemlock valley turnpike, In the bend of Silver Water's arm, Where the deer come trooping down at even, Drink the cowslip pool, and fear no harm, Dwells Emilia, Flower of the fields of Camlet Farm.Sitting sewing by the western window As the too brief mountain sunshine flies, Hast thou seen a slender-shoul...

Gray Eld must travel in my company To seal this severance more fast and sure. A joyless fellowship, i' faith, 'twill be, Yet must we fare together, I and he, Till I shall tread the footpath way no more.But when a blackbird pipes among the boughs, On some dim, iridescent day in spring, Then I may dream you are rememberi...

'Tis time this heart should be unmoved, Since others it hath ceased to move: Yet, though I cannot be beloved, Still let me love!My days are in the yellow leaf; The flowers and fruits of love are gone; The worm, the canker, and the grief Are mine alone!The fire that on my bosom preys Is lone as some volcanic isle; No to...

I am not young; I am not old; The flush of morn, the sunset calm, Paling and deepening, each to each, Meet midway with a solemn charm.One side I see the summer fields, Not yet disrobed of all their green; While westerly, along the hills, Flame the first tints of frosty sheen.Ah, middle-point, where cloud and storm Make...

VIII Thou, whose exterior semblance doth belie Thy Soul's immensity; Thou best Philosopher, who yet dost keep Thy heritage, thou Eye among the blind, That, deaf and silent, read'st the eternal deep, Haunted for ever by the eternal mind,-- Mighty Prophet! Seer blest! On whom those truths do rest, Which we are toiling al...

And now I see with eye serene The very pulse of the machine; A being breathing thoughtful breath, A traveller between life and death; The reason firm, the temperate will, Endurance, foresight, strength, and skill; A perfect Woman, nobly planned, To warn, to comfort, and command; And yet a Spirit still, and bright With ...

Coventry Patmore [1823-1896]A HEALTHI fill this cup to one made up Of loveliness alone, A woman, of her gentle sex The seeming paragon; To whom the better elements And kindly stars have given A form so fair, that, like the air, 'Tis less of earth than heaven.Her every tone is music's own, Like those of morning birds, A...