Ef my old nose don't tell me lies, "Clear out o' my way! They's time fer work, an' time fer play! Wunst our hired girl, when she Got the supper, an' we all et, An' it wuz night, an' Ma an' me An' Pa went wher' the "Social" met,- An' I marched in, an' 'Lizabuth Ann Better say, "Clear out o' the way! They's time fer work, an' time fer play! Take the hint, an' run, child, run! Er we cain't git no courtin' done!".. James Whitcomb Riley [1852-1916] SEEIN' THINGS I AIN'T afeard uv snakes, or toads, or bugs, or worms, or mice, An' things 'at girls are skeered uv I think are awful nice! I'm pretty brave, I guess; an' yet I hate to go to bed, For, when I'm tucked up warm an' snug an' when my prayers are said, Mother tells me "Happy Dreams!" an' takes away the light, An' leaves me lyin' all alone an' seein' things at night! Sometimes they're in the corner, sometimes they're by the door, Sometimes they're all a-standin' in the middle uv the floor; Sometimes they are a-sittin' down, sometimes they're walkin' round So softly and so creepylike they never make a sound! The Duel 173 Sometimes they are as black as ink, an' other times they're white But the color ain't no difference when you see things at night! Once, when I licked a feller 'at had just moved on our street, I woke up in the dark an' saw things standin' in a row, Lucky thing I ain't a girl, or I'd be skeered to death! An' so, when other naughty boys would coax me into sin, No, ruther let Starvation wipe me slowly out o' sight 5/Than I should keep a-livin' on an' seein' things at night! Eugene Field [1850-1895] THE DUEL THE gingham dog and the calico cat Side by side on the table sat; "Twas half past twelve, and (what do you think!) Nor one nor t'other had slept a wink! The old Dutch clock and the Chinese plate Appeared to know as sure as fate There was going to be a terrible spat. (I wasn't there: I simply state What was told to me by the Chinese plate!) The gingham dog went, "Bow-wow-wow!" With bits of gingham and calico, While the old Dutch clock in the chimney-place Up with its hands before its face, For it always dreaded a family row! (Now mind; I'm only telling you What the old Dutch clock declares is true!) The Chinese plate looked very blue, And wailed, "Oh, dear! what shall we do!" In the awfullest way you ever saw- I got my news from the Chinese plate!) Next morning, where the two had sat But the truth about the cat and pup Eugene Field [1850-1895] HOLY THURSDAY "TWAS on a Holy Thursday, their innocent faces clean, Came children walking two and two, in red, and blue, and green; Gray-headed beadles walked before, with wands as white as snow, Till into the high dome of Paul's they like Thames waters flow. Oh what a multitude they seemed, these flowers of London town! Seated in companies they sit, with radiance all their own. A Story for a Child 175 The hum of multitudes was there, but multitudes of lambs, Thousands of little boys and girls raising their innocent hands. Now like a mighty wind they raise to heaven the voice of song, Or like harmonious thunderings the seats of heaven among: Beneath them sit the aged men, wise guardians of the poor. Then cherish pity, lest you drive an angel from your door. William Blake [1757-1827] A STORY FOR A CHILD LITTLE one, come to my knee! Hark, how the rain is pouring Hush, my darling, and listen, Then pay for the story with kisses; High up on the lonely mountains, Where the wild men watched and waited; Wolves in the forest, and bears in the bush, The rain and the night together Came down, and the wind came after, I crept along in the darkness, Stunned, and bruised, and blinded,- There, from the blowing and raining, Little one, be not frightened; I and the wolf together, Side by side, through the long, long night, His wet fur pressed against me; And when the falling forest No longer crashed in warning, Darling, kiss me payment! Hark, how the wind is roaring; When the stormy rain is pouring! Bayard Taylor [1825-1878] THE SPIDER AND THE FLY "WILL you walk into my parlor?" said the Spider to the Fly. ""Tis the prettiest little parlor that ever you did spy; The way into my parlor is up a winding stair, And I have many curious things to show when you are there." "Oh no, no," said the little Fly, "to ask me is in vain; For who goes up your winding stair can ne'er come down again." "I'm sure you must be weary, dear, with soaring up so high; Will you rest upon my little bed?" said the Spider to the Fly. "There are pretty curtains drawn around, the sheets are fine and thin; And if you like to rest a while, I'll snugly tuck you in!” "Oh no, no," said the little Fly, "for I've often heard it said, They never, never wake again, who sleep upon your bed!" |