clover-leaves
Twinkle, twinkle, little star;How I wonder what you are!Up above the world so high,Like a diamond in the sky.When the glorious sun is set,When the grass with dew is wet,Then you show your little light,Twinkle, twinkle, all the night.When the blazing sun is gone,When he nothing shines upon,Then you show your little light,Twinkle, twinkle, all the night.[page 80]In the dark-blue sky you keep,And often through my curtains peep;For you never shut your eyeTill the sun is in the sky.As your bright and tiny sparkLights the traveler in the dark,Though I know not what you are,Twinkle, twinkle, little star!Anonymous
Twinkle, twinkle, little star;How I wonder what you are!Up above the world so high,Like a diamond in the sky.
Twinkle, twinkle, little star;
How I wonder what you are!
Up above the world so high,
Like a diamond in the sky.
When the glorious sun is set,When the grass with dew is wet,Then you show your little light,Twinkle, twinkle, all the night.
When the glorious sun is set,
When the grass with dew is wet,
Then you show your little light,
Twinkle, twinkle, all the night.
When the blazing sun is gone,When he nothing shines upon,Then you show your little light,Twinkle, twinkle, all the night.[page 80]
When the blazing sun is gone,
When he nothing shines upon,
Then you show your little light,
Twinkle, twinkle, all the night.
In the dark-blue sky you keep,And often through my curtains peep;For you never shut your eyeTill the sun is in the sky.
In the dark-blue sky you keep,
And often through my curtains peep;
For you never shut your eye
Till the sun is in the sky.
As your bright and tiny sparkLights the traveler in the dark,Though I know not what you are,Twinkle, twinkle, little star!
As your bright and tiny spark
Lights the traveler in the dark,
Though I know not what you are,
Twinkle, twinkle, little star!
Anonymous
Anonymous
clover-leaves
Thank you, pretty cow, that madePleasant milk to soak my bread,Every day and every night,Warm, and fresh, and sweet, and whiteDo not chew the hemlock rank,Growing on the weedy bank;But the yellow cowslips eat,That will make it very sweet.Where the purple violet grows,Where the bubbling water flows,Where the grass is fresh and fine,Pretty cow, go there and dine.Jane Taylor
Thank you, pretty cow, that madePleasant milk to soak my bread,Every day and every night,Warm, and fresh, and sweet, and white
Thank you, pretty cow, that made
Pleasant milk to soak my bread,
Every day and every night,
Warm, and fresh, and sweet, and white
Do not chew the hemlock rank,Growing on the weedy bank;But the yellow cowslips eat,That will make it very sweet.
Do not chew the hemlock rank,
Growing on the weedy bank;
But the yellow cowslips eat,
That will make it very sweet.
Where the purple violet grows,Where the bubbling water flows,Where the grass is fresh and fine,Pretty cow, go there and dine.
Where the purple violet grows,
Where the bubbling water flows,
Where the grass is fresh and fine,
Pretty cow, go there and dine.
Jane Taylor
Jane Taylor
clover-leaves
Three little kittens lost their mittens;And they began to cry,O mother dear,We very much fearThat we have lost our mittens.[page 81]Lost your mittens!You naughty kittens!Then you shall have no pie.Mee-ow, mee-ow, mee-ow.No, you shall have no pie.Mee-ow, mee-ow, mee-ow.The three little kittens found their mittens,And they began to cry,O mother dear,See here, see here;See, we have found our mittens.Put on your mittens,You silly kittens,And you may have some pie.Purr-r, purr-r, purr-r,O let us have the pie.Purr-r, purr-r, purr-r.The three little kittens put on their mittens,And soon ate up the pie;O mother dear,We greatly fearThat we have soiled our mittens.Soiled your mittens!You naughty kittens!Then they began to sigh,Mee-ow, mee-ow, mee-ow,Then they began to sigh.Mee-ow, mee-ow, mee-ow.The three little kittens washed their mittens,And hung them out to dry;O mother dear,Do not you hear,That we have washed our mittens?[page 82]Washed your mittens!O, you're good kittens.But I smell a rat close by;Hush! hush! mee-ow, mee-ow.We smell a rat close by,Mee-ow, mee-ow, mee-ow.Eliza Lee Follen
Three little kittens lost their mittens;And they began to cry,O mother dear,We very much fearThat we have lost our mittens.[page 81]
Three little kittens lost their mittens;
And they began to cry,
O mother dear,
We very much fear
That we have lost our mittens.
Lost your mittens!You naughty kittens!Then you shall have no pie.Mee-ow, mee-ow, mee-ow.No, you shall have no pie.Mee-ow, mee-ow, mee-ow.
Lost your mittens!
You naughty kittens!
Then you shall have no pie.
Mee-ow, mee-ow, mee-ow.
No, you shall have no pie.
Mee-ow, mee-ow, mee-ow.
The three little kittens found their mittens,And they began to cry,O mother dear,See here, see here;See, we have found our mittens.
The three little kittens found their mittens,
And they began to cry,
O mother dear,
See here, see here;
See, we have found our mittens.
Put on your mittens,You silly kittens,And you may have some pie.Purr-r, purr-r, purr-r,O let us have the pie.Purr-r, purr-r, purr-r.
Put on your mittens,
You silly kittens,
And you may have some pie.
Purr-r, purr-r, purr-r,
O let us have the pie.
Purr-r, purr-r, purr-r.
The three little kittens put on their mittens,And soon ate up the pie;O mother dear,We greatly fearThat we have soiled our mittens.
The three little kittens put on their mittens,
And soon ate up the pie;
O mother dear,
We greatly fear
That we have soiled our mittens.
Soiled your mittens!You naughty kittens!Then they began to sigh,Mee-ow, mee-ow, mee-ow,Then they began to sigh.Mee-ow, mee-ow, mee-ow.
Soiled your mittens!
You naughty kittens!
Then they began to sigh,
Mee-ow, mee-ow, mee-ow,
Then they began to sigh.
Mee-ow, mee-ow, mee-ow.
The three little kittens washed their mittens,And hung them out to dry;O mother dear,Do not you hear,That we have washed our mittens?[page 82]
The three little kittens washed their mittens,
And hung them out to dry;
O mother dear,
Do not you hear,
That we have washed our mittens?
Washed your mittens!O, you're good kittens.But I smell a rat close by;Hush! hush! mee-ow, mee-ow.We smell a rat close by,Mee-ow, mee-ow, mee-ow.
Washed your mittens!
O, you're good kittens.
But I smell a rat close by;
Hush! hush! mee-ow, mee-ow.
We smell a rat close by,
Mee-ow, mee-ow, mee-ow.
Eliza Lee Follen
Eliza Lee Follen
clover-leaves
I Was the Giant Great and Still, that Sits Upon the Pillow HillI Was the Giant Great and Still, that Sits Upon the Pillow Hill
I Was the Giant Great and Still, that Sits Upon the Pillow Hill
When I was sick and lay a-bed,I had two pillows at my head,And all my toys beside me layTo keep me happy all the day.And sometimes for an hour or soI watched my leaden soldiers go,With different uniforms and drills,Among the bed-clothes, through the hills;And sometimes sent my ships in fleetsAll up and down among the sheets;Or brought my trees and houses out,And planted cities all about.I was the giant great and stillThat sits upon the pillow-hill,And sees before him, dale and plain,The pleasant land of counterpane.Robert Louis Stevenson
When I was sick and lay a-bed,I had two pillows at my head,And all my toys beside me layTo keep me happy all the day.
When I was sick and lay a-bed,
I had two pillows at my head,
And all my toys beside me lay
To keep me happy all the day.
And sometimes for an hour or soI watched my leaden soldiers go,With different uniforms and drills,Among the bed-clothes, through the hills;
And sometimes for an hour or so
I watched my leaden soldiers go,
With different uniforms and drills,
Among the bed-clothes, through the hills;
And sometimes sent my ships in fleetsAll up and down among the sheets;Or brought my trees and houses out,And planted cities all about.
And sometimes sent my ships in fleets
All up and down among the sheets;
Or brought my trees and houses out,
And planted cities all about.
I was the giant great and stillThat sits upon the pillow-hill,And sees before him, dale and plain,The pleasant land of counterpane.
I was the giant great and still
That sits upon the pillow-hill,
And sees before him, dale and plain,
The pleasant land of counterpane.
Robert Louis Stevenson
Robert Louis Stevenson
clover-leaves
There was a little girl,And she had a little curlRight in the middle of her forehead.When she was goodShe was very, very good,And when she was bad she was horrid.[page 83]One day she went upstairs,When her parents, unawares,In the kitchen were occupied with meals,And she stood upon her headIn her little trundle-bed,And then began hooraying with her heels.Her mother heard the noise,And she thought it was the boysA-playing at a combat in the attic;But when she climbed the stair,And found Jemima there,She took and she did spank her most emphatic.Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
There was a little girl,And she had a little curlRight in the middle of her forehead.When she was goodShe was very, very good,And when she was bad she was horrid.[page 83]
There was a little girl,
And she had a little curl
Right in the middle of her forehead.
When she was good
She was very, very good,
And when she was bad she was horrid.
One day she went upstairs,When her parents, unawares,In the kitchen were occupied with meals,And she stood upon her headIn her little trundle-bed,And then began hooraying with her heels.
One day she went upstairs,
When her parents, unawares,
In the kitchen were occupied with meals,
And she stood upon her head
In her little trundle-bed,
And then began hooraying with her heels.
Her mother heard the noise,And she thought it was the boysA-playing at a combat in the attic;But when she climbed the stair,And found Jemima there,She took and she did spank her most emphatic.
Her mother heard the noise,
And she thought it was the boys
A-playing at a combat in the attic;
But when she climbed the stair,
And found Jemima there,
She took and she did spank her most emphatic.
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
clover-leaves
Once there was a little boy,With curly hair and pleasant eye—A boy who always told the truth,And never, never told a lie.And when he trotted off to school,The children all about would cry,"There goes the curly-headed boy—The boy that never tells a lie."And everybody loved him so,Because he always told the truth,That every day, as he grew up,'Twas said, "There goes the honest youth."And when the people that stood nearWould turn to ask the reason why,The answer would be always this:"Because he never tells a lie."
Once there was a little boy,With curly hair and pleasant eye—A boy who always told the truth,And never, never told a lie.
Once there was a little boy,
With curly hair and pleasant eye—
A boy who always told the truth,
And never, never told a lie.
And when he trotted off to school,The children all about would cry,"There goes the curly-headed boy—The boy that never tells a lie."
And when he trotted off to school,
The children all about would cry,
"There goes the curly-headed boy—
The boy that never tells a lie."
And everybody loved him so,Because he always told the truth,That every day, as he grew up,'Twas said, "There goes the honest youth."
And everybody loved him so,
Because he always told the truth,
That every day, as he grew up,
'Twas said, "There goes the honest youth."
And when the people that stood nearWould turn to ask the reason why,The answer would be always this:"Because he never tells a lie."
And when the people that stood near
Would turn to ask the reason why,
The answer would be always this:
"Because he never tells a lie."
clover-leaves
[page 84]
Little Indian, Sioux or Crow,Little frosty Eskimo,Little Turk or Japanee,O! don't you wish that you were me?You have seen the scarlet treesAnd the lions over seas;You have eaten ostrich eggs,And turned the turtles off their legs.Such a life is very fine,But it's not so nice as mine:You must often, as you trod,Have weariednotto be abroad.You have curious things to eat,I am fed on proper meat;You must dwell beyond the foam,But I am safe and live at home.Little Indian, Sioux or Crow,Little frosty Eskimo,Little Turk or Japanee,O! don't you wish that you were me?Robert Louis Stevenson
Little Indian, Sioux or Crow,Little frosty Eskimo,Little Turk or Japanee,O! don't you wish that you were me?
Little Indian, Sioux or Crow,
Little frosty Eskimo,
Little Turk or Japanee,
O! don't you wish that you were me?
You have seen the scarlet treesAnd the lions over seas;You have eaten ostrich eggs,And turned the turtles off their legs.
You have seen the scarlet trees
And the lions over seas;
You have eaten ostrich eggs,
And turned the turtles off their legs.
Such a life is very fine,But it's not so nice as mine:You must often, as you trod,Have weariednotto be abroad.
Such a life is very fine,
But it's not so nice as mine:
You must often, as you trod,
Have weariednotto be abroad.
You have curious things to eat,I am fed on proper meat;You must dwell beyond the foam,But I am safe and live at home.Little Indian, Sioux or Crow,Little frosty Eskimo,Little Turk or Japanee,O! don't you wish that you were me?
You have curious things to eat,
I am fed on proper meat;
You must dwell beyond the foam,
But I am safe and live at home.
Little Indian, Sioux or Crow,
Little frosty Eskimo,
Little Turk or Japanee,
O! don't you wish that you were me?
Robert Louis Stevenson
Robert Louis Stevenson
clover-leaves
When children are playing alone on the green,In comes the playmate that never was seen.When children are happy and lonely and good,The Friend of the Children comes out of the wood.[page 85]Nobody heard him and nobody saw,His is a picture you never could draw,But he's sure to be present, abroad or at home,When children are happy, and playing alone.He lies in the laurels, he runs on the grass,He sings when you tinkle the musical glass;Whene'er you are happy and cannot tell why,The Friend of the Children is sure to be by!He loves to be little, he hates to be big,'Tis he that inhabits the caves that you dig;'Tis he when you play with your soldiers of tinThat sides with the Frenchmen and never can win.'Tis he when at night; you go off to your bed,Bids you go to your sleep and not trouble your head;For wherever they're lying, in cupboard or shelf,'Tis he will take care of your playthings himself!Robert Louis Stevenson
When children are playing alone on the green,In comes the playmate that never was seen.When children are happy and lonely and good,The Friend of the Children comes out of the wood.[page 85]
When children are playing alone on the green,
In comes the playmate that never was seen.
When children are happy and lonely and good,
The Friend of the Children comes out of the wood.
Nobody heard him and nobody saw,His is a picture you never could draw,But he's sure to be present, abroad or at home,When children are happy, and playing alone.
Nobody heard him and nobody saw,
His is a picture you never could draw,
But he's sure to be present, abroad or at home,
When children are happy, and playing alone.
He lies in the laurels, he runs on the grass,He sings when you tinkle the musical glass;Whene'er you are happy and cannot tell why,The Friend of the Children is sure to be by!
He lies in the laurels, he runs on the grass,
He sings when you tinkle the musical glass;
Whene'er you are happy and cannot tell why,
The Friend of the Children is sure to be by!
He loves to be little, he hates to be big,'Tis he that inhabits the caves that you dig;'Tis he when you play with your soldiers of tinThat sides with the Frenchmen and never can win.
He loves to be little, he hates to be big,
'Tis he that inhabits the caves that you dig;
'Tis he when you play with your soldiers of tin
That sides with the Frenchmen and never can win.
'Tis he when at night; you go off to your bed,Bids you go to your sleep and not trouble your head;For wherever they're lying, in cupboard or shelf,'Tis he will take care of your playthings himself!
'Tis he when at night; you go off to your bed,
Bids you go to your sleep and not trouble your head;
For wherever they're lying, in cupboard or shelf,
'Tis he will take care of your playthings himself!
Robert Louis Stevenson
Robert Louis Stevenson
clover-leaves
I saw three ships come sailing in,On Christmas day, on Christmas day;I saw three ships come sailing in,On Christmas day in the morning.Pray whither sailed those ships all threeOn Christmas day, on Christmas day?Pray whither sailed those ships all threeOn Christmas day in the morning?[page 86]Oh, they sailed into BethlehemOn Christmas day, on Christmas day;Oh, they sailed into BethlehemOn Christmas day in the morning.And all the bells on earth shall ringOn Christmas day, on Christmas day;And all the bells on earth shall ringOn Christmas day in the morning.And all the angels in heaven shall singOn Christmas day, on Christmas day;And all the angels in heaven shall singOn Christmas day in the morning.And all the souls on earth shall singOn Christmas day, on Christmas day;And all the souls on earth shall singOn Christmas day in the morning.Old Carol
I saw three ships come sailing in,On Christmas day, on Christmas day;I saw three ships come sailing in,On Christmas day in the morning.
I saw three ships come sailing in,
On Christmas day, on Christmas day;
I saw three ships come sailing in,
On Christmas day in the morning.
Pray whither sailed those ships all threeOn Christmas day, on Christmas day?Pray whither sailed those ships all threeOn Christmas day in the morning?[page 86]
Pray whither sailed those ships all three
On Christmas day, on Christmas day?
Pray whither sailed those ships all three
On Christmas day in the morning?
Oh, they sailed into BethlehemOn Christmas day, on Christmas day;Oh, they sailed into BethlehemOn Christmas day in the morning.
Oh, they sailed into Bethlehem
On Christmas day, on Christmas day;
Oh, they sailed into Bethlehem
On Christmas day in the morning.
And all the bells on earth shall ringOn Christmas day, on Christmas day;And all the bells on earth shall ringOn Christmas day in the morning.
And all the bells on earth shall ring
On Christmas day, on Christmas day;
And all the bells on earth shall ring
On Christmas day in the morning.
And all the angels in heaven shall singOn Christmas day, on Christmas day;And all the angels in heaven shall singOn Christmas day in the morning.
And all the angels in heaven shall sing
On Christmas day, on Christmas day;
And all the angels in heaven shall sing
On Christmas day in the morning.
And all the souls on earth shall singOn Christmas day, on Christmas day;And all the souls on earth shall singOn Christmas day in the morning.
And all the souls on earth shall sing
On Christmas day, on Christmas day;
And all the souls on earth shall sing
On Christmas day in the morning.
Old Carol
Old Carol
clover-leaves
Awas an antWho seldom stood still,And who made a nice houseIn the side of a hill.aNice little ant!Bwas a bookWith a binding of blue,And pictures and storiesFor me and for you.bNice little book![page 87]Cwas a catWho ran after a rat;But his courage did failWhen she seized on his tail.cCrafty old cat!Dwas a duckWith spots on his back,Who lived in the water,And always said "Quack!"dDear little duck!Ewas an elephant,Stately and wise:He had tusks and a trunk,And two queer little eyes,eOh, what funny small eyes!Fwas a fishWho was caught in a net;But he got out again,And is quite alive yet.fLively young fish!Gwas a goatWho was spotted with brown:When he did not lie stillHe walked up and down.gGood little goat![page 88]Hwas a hatWhich was all on one side;Its crown was too high,And its brim was too wide.hOh, what a hat!Iwas some iceSo white and so nice,But which nobody tasted;And so it was wasted.iAll that good ice!Jwas a jackdawWho hopped up and dowaIn the principal streetOf a neighboring town.jAll through the town!Kwas a kiteWhich flew out of sight,Above houses so high,Quite into the sky.kFly away, kite!Lwas a lightWhich burned all the night,And lighted the gloomOf a very dark room.lUseful nice light![page 89]Mwas a millWhich stood on a hill,And turned round and roundWith a loud hummy sound.mUseful old mill!Nwas a netWhich was thrown in the seaTo catch fish for dinnerFor you and for me.nNice little net!Owas an orangeSo yellow and round:When it fell off the tree,It fell down to the ground;oDown to the ground!Pwas a pig,Who was not very big;But his tail was too curly,And that made him surly.pCross little pig!Qwas a quailWith a very short tail;And he fed upon cornIn the evening and morn.qQuaint little quail![page 90]Rwas a rabbit,Who had a bad habitOf eating the flowersIn gardens and bowers.rNaughty fat rabbit!Swas the sugar-tongs,Nippity-nee,To take up the sugarTo put in our tea.sNippity-nee!Twas a tortoise,All yellow and black:He walked slowly away,And he never came back.tTorty never came back!Uwas an urnAll polished and bright,And full of hot waterAt noon and at night.uUseful old urn!Vwas a villaWhich stood on a hill,By the side of a river,And close to a mill.vNice little villa![page 91]Wwas a whaleWith a very long tail,Whose movements were franticAcross the Atlantic.wMonstrous old whale!Xwas King Xerxes,Who, more than all Turks is,Renowned for his fashionOf fury and passion.xAngry old Xerxes!Ywas a yew,Which flourished and grewBy a quiet abodeNear the side of a road.yDark little yew!Zwas some zinc,So shiny and bright,Which caused you to winkIn the sun's merry light.zBeautiful zinc!Edward Lear
Awas an antWho seldom stood still,And who made a nice houseIn the side of a hill.aNice little ant!
Awas an ant
Who seldom stood still,
And who made a nice house
In the side of a hill.
a
Nice little ant!
Bwas a bookWith a binding of blue,And pictures and storiesFor me and for you.bNice little book![page 87]
Bwas a book
With a binding of blue,
And pictures and stories
For me and for you.
b
Nice little book!
Cwas a catWho ran after a rat;But his courage did failWhen she seized on his tail.cCrafty old cat!
Cwas a cat
Who ran after a rat;
But his courage did fail
When she seized on his tail.
c
Crafty old cat!
Dwas a duckWith spots on his back,Who lived in the water,And always said "Quack!"dDear little duck!
Dwas a duck
With spots on his back,
Who lived in the water,
And always said "Quack!"
d
Dear little duck!
Ewas an elephant,Stately and wise:He had tusks and a trunk,And two queer little eyes,eOh, what funny small eyes!
Ewas an elephant,
Stately and wise:
He had tusks and a trunk,
And two queer little eyes,
e
Oh, what funny small eyes!
Fwas a fishWho was caught in a net;But he got out again,And is quite alive yet.fLively young fish!
Fwas a fish
Who was caught in a net;
But he got out again,
And is quite alive yet.
f
Lively young fish!
Gwas a goatWho was spotted with brown:When he did not lie stillHe walked up and down.gGood little goat![page 88]
Gwas a goat
Who was spotted with brown:
When he did not lie still
He walked up and down.
g
Good little goat!
Hwas a hatWhich was all on one side;Its crown was too high,And its brim was too wide.hOh, what a hat!
Hwas a hat
Which was all on one side;
Its crown was too high,
And its brim was too wide.
h
Oh, what a hat!
Iwas some iceSo white and so nice,But which nobody tasted;And so it was wasted.iAll that good ice!
Iwas some ice
So white and so nice,
But which nobody tasted;
And so it was wasted.
i
All that good ice!
Jwas a jackdawWho hopped up and dowaIn the principal streetOf a neighboring town.jAll through the town!
Jwas a jackdaw
Who hopped up and dowa
In the principal street
Of a neighboring town.
j
All through the town!
Kwas a kiteWhich flew out of sight,Above houses so high,Quite into the sky.kFly away, kite!
Kwas a kite
Which flew out of sight,
Above houses so high,
Quite into the sky.
k
Fly away, kite!
Lwas a lightWhich burned all the night,And lighted the gloomOf a very dark room.lUseful nice light![page 89]
Lwas a light
Which burned all the night,
And lighted the gloom
Of a very dark room.
l
Useful nice light!
Mwas a millWhich stood on a hill,And turned round and roundWith a loud hummy sound.mUseful old mill!
Mwas a mill
Which stood on a hill,
And turned round and round
With a loud hummy sound.
m
Useful old mill!
Nwas a netWhich was thrown in the seaTo catch fish for dinnerFor you and for me.nNice little net!
Nwas a net
Which was thrown in the sea
To catch fish for dinner
For you and for me.
n
Nice little net!
Owas an orangeSo yellow and round:When it fell off the tree,It fell down to the ground;oDown to the ground!
Owas an orange
So yellow and round:
When it fell off the tree,
It fell down to the ground;
o
Down to the ground!
Pwas a pig,Who was not very big;But his tail was too curly,And that made him surly.pCross little pig!
Pwas a pig,
Who was not very big;
But his tail was too curly,
And that made him surly.
p
Cross little pig!
Qwas a quailWith a very short tail;And he fed upon cornIn the evening and morn.qQuaint little quail![page 90]
Qwas a quail
With a very short tail;
And he fed upon corn
In the evening and morn.
q
Quaint little quail!
Rwas a rabbit,Who had a bad habitOf eating the flowersIn gardens and bowers.rNaughty fat rabbit!
Rwas a rabbit,
Who had a bad habit
Of eating the flowers
In gardens and bowers.
r
Naughty fat rabbit!
Swas the sugar-tongs,Nippity-nee,To take up the sugarTo put in our tea.sNippity-nee!
Swas the sugar-tongs,
Nippity-nee,
To take up the sugar
To put in our tea.
s
Nippity-nee!
Twas a tortoise,All yellow and black:He walked slowly away,And he never came back.tTorty never came back!
Twas a tortoise,
All yellow and black:
He walked slowly away,
And he never came back.
t
Torty never came back!
Uwas an urnAll polished and bright,And full of hot waterAt noon and at night.uUseful old urn!
Uwas an urn
All polished and bright,
And full of hot water
At noon and at night.
u
Useful old urn!
Vwas a villaWhich stood on a hill,By the side of a river,And close to a mill.vNice little villa![page 91]
Vwas a villa
Which stood on a hill,
By the side of a river,
And close to a mill.
v
Nice little villa!
Wwas a whaleWith a very long tail,Whose movements were franticAcross the Atlantic.wMonstrous old whale!
Wwas a whale
With a very long tail,
Whose movements were frantic
Across the Atlantic.
w
Monstrous old whale!
Xwas King Xerxes,Who, more than all Turks is,Renowned for his fashionOf fury and passion.xAngry old Xerxes!
Xwas King Xerxes,
Who, more than all Turks is,
Renowned for his fashion
Of fury and passion.
x
Angry old Xerxes!
Ywas a yew,Which flourished and grewBy a quiet abodeNear the side of a road.yDark little yew!
Ywas a yew,
Which flourished and grew
By a quiet abode
Near the side of a road.
y
Dark little yew!
Zwas some zinc,So shiny and bright,Which caused you to winkIn the sun's merry light.zBeautiful zinc!
Zwas some zinc,
So shiny and bright,
Which caused you to wink
In the sun's merry light.
z
Beautiful zinc!
Edward Lear
Edward Lear
clover-leaves
Said the Table to the Chair,"You can hardly be awareHow I suffer from the heatAnd from chilblains on my feet.[page 92]If we took a little walk,We might have a little talk;Pray let us take the air,"Said the Table to the Chair.
Said the Table to the Chair,"You can hardly be awareHow I suffer from the heatAnd from chilblains on my feet.[page 92]
Said the Table to the Chair,
"You can hardly be aware
How I suffer from the heat
And from chilblains on my feet.
If we took a little walk,We might have a little talk;Pray let us take the air,"Said the Table to the Chair.
If we took a little walk,
We might have a little talk;
Pray let us take the air,"
Said the Table to the Chair.
Said the Chair unto the Table,"Now, youknowwe are not able:How foolishly you talk,When you know wecannotwalk!"Said the Table with a sigh,"It can do no harm to try.I've as many legs as you:Why can't we walk on two?"
Said the Chair unto the Table,"Now, youknowwe are not able:How foolishly you talk,When you know wecannotwalk!"Said the Table with a sigh,"It can do no harm to try.I've as many legs as you:Why can't we walk on two?"
Said the Chair unto the Table,
"Now, youknowwe are not able:
How foolishly you talk,
When you know wecannotwalk!"
Said the Table with a sigh,
"It can do no harm to try.
I've as many legs as you:
Why can't we walk on two?"
So they both went slowly down,And walked about the townWith a cheerful bumpy soundAs they toddled round and round;And everybody cried,As they hastened to their side,"See! the Table and the ChairHave come out to take the air!"
So they both went slowly down,And walked about the townWith a cheerful bumpy soundAs they toddled round and round;And everybody cried,As they hastened to their side,"See! the Table and the ChairHave come out to take the air!"
So they both went slowly down,
And walked about the town
With a cheerful bumpy sound
As they toddled round and round;
And everybody cried,
As they hastened to their side,
"See! the Table and the Chair
Have come out to take the air!"
But in going down an alley,To a castle in a valley,They completely lost their way,And wandered all the day;Till, to see them safely back,They paid a Ducky-quack,And a Beetle, and a Mouse,Who took them to their house.
But in going down an alley,To a castle in a valley,They completely lost their way,And wandered all the day;Till, to see them safely back,They paid a Ducky-quack,And a Beetle, and a Mouse,Who took them to their house.
But in going down an alley,
To a castle in a valley,
They completely lost their way,
And wandered all the day;
Till, to see them safely back,
They paid a Ducky-quack,
And a Beetle, and a Mouse,
Who took them to their house.
[page 93]
Then they whispered to each other,"O delightful little brother,What a lovely walk we've taken!Let us dine on beans and bacon."So the Ducky and the leetleBrowny-Mousy and the BeetleDined, and danced upon their headsTill they toddled to their beds.Edward Lear
Then they whispered to each other,"O delightful little brother,What a lovely walk we've taken!Let us dine on beans and bacon."So the Ducky and the leetleBrowny-Mousy and the BeetleDined, and danced upon their headsTill they toddled to their beds.
Then they whispered to each other,
"O delightful little brother,
What a lovely walk we've taken!
Let us dine on beans and bacon."
So the Ducky and the leetle
Browny-Mousy and the Beetle
Dined, and danced upon their heads
Till they toddled to their beds.
Edward Lear
Edward Lear
clover-leaves
Where are you going to, you little pig?"I'm leaving my Mother, I'm growing so big!"So big, young pig,So young, so big!What, leaving your Mother, you foolish young pig?Where are you going to, you little pig?"I've got a new spade, and I'm going to dig!"To dig, little pig!A little pig dig!Well, I never saw a pig with a spade that could dig!Where are you going to, you little pig?"Why, I'm going to have a nice ride in a gig!"In a gig, little pig!What, a pig in a gig!Well, I never yet saw a pig ride in a gig!Where are you going to, you little pig?"Well, I'm going to the Queen's Head to have a nice swig!"A swig, little pig!A pig have a swig!What, a pig at the Queen's Head having a swig![page 94]Where are you going to, you little pig?"Why, I'm going to the Ball to dance a fine jig!"A jig, little pig!A pig dance a jig!Well, I never before saw a pig dance a jig!Where are you going to, you little pig?"I'm going to the fair to run a fine rig!"A rig, little pig!A pig run a rig!Well, I never before saw a pig run a rig!Where are you going to, you little pig?"I'm going to the Barber's to buy me a wig!"A wig, little pig!A pig in a wig!Why, whoever before saw a pig in a wig!· · · · · · · · · ·Thomas Hood
Where are you going to, you little pig?"I'm leaving my Mother, I'm growing so big!"So big, young pig,So young, so big!What, leaving your Mother, you foolish young pig?
Where are you going to, you little pig?
"I'm leaving my Mother, I'm growing so big!"
So big, young pig,
So young, so big!
What, leaving your Mother, you foolish young pig?
Where are you going to, you little pig?"I've got a new spade, and I'm going to dig!"To dig, little pig!A little pig dig!Well, I never saw a pig with a spade that could dig!
Where are you going to, you little pig?
"I've got a new spade, and I'm going to dig!"
To dig, little pig!
A little pig dig!
Well, I never saw a pig with a spade that could dig!
Where are you going to, you little pig?"Why, I'm going to have a nice ride in a gig!"In a gig, little pig!What, a pig in a gig!Well, I never yet saw a pig ride in a gig!
Where are you going to, you little pig?
"Why, I'm going to have a nice ride in a gig!"
In a gig, little pig!
What, a pig in a gig!
Well, I never yet saw a pig ride in a gig!
Where are you going to, you little pig?"Well, I'm going to the Queen's Head to have a nice swig!"A swig, little pig!A pig have a swig!What, a pig at the Queen's Head having a swig![page 94]
Where are you going to, you little pig?
"Well, I'm going to the Queen's Head to have a nice swig!"
A swig, little pig!
A pig have a swig!
What, a pig at the Queen's Head having a swig!
Where are you going to, you little pig?"Why, I'm going to the Ball to dance a fine jig!"A jig, little pig!A pig dance a jig!Well, I never before saw a pig dance a jig!
Where are you going to, you little pig?
"Why, I'm going to the Ball to dance a fine jig!"
A jig, little pig!
A pig dance a jig!
Well, I never before saw a pig dance a jig!
Where are you going to, you little pig?"I'm going to the fair to run a fine rig!"A rig, little pig!A pig run a rig!Well, I never before saw a pig run a rig!
Where are you going to, you little pig?
"I'm going to the fair to run a fine rig!"
A rig, little pig!
A pig run a rig!
Well, I never before saw a pig run a rig!
Where are you going to, you little pig?"I'm going to the Barber's to buy me a wig!"A wig, little pig!A pig in a wig!Why, whoever before saw a pig in a wig!
Where are you going to, you little pig?
"I'm going to the Barber's to buy me a wig!"
A wig, little pig!
A pig in a wig!
Why, whoever before saw a pig in a wig!
· · · · · · · · · ·
· · · · · · · · · ·
Thomas Hood
Thomas Hood
clover-leaves
Where the pools are bright and deep,Where the gray trout lies asleep,Up the river and o'er the lea,That's the way for Billy and me.Where the blackbird sings the latest,Where the hawthorn blooms the sweetest,Where the nestlings chirp and flee,That's the way for Billy and me.Where the mowers mow the cleanest,Where the hay lies thick and greenest,There to trace the homeward bee,That's the way for Billy and me.[page 95]Where the hazel bank is steepest,Where the shadow falls the deepest,Where the clustering nuts fall free,That's the way for Billy and me.Why the boys should drive awayLittle sweet maidens from the play,Or love to banter and fight so well,That's the thing I never could tell.But this I know, I love to play,Through the meadow, among the hay;Up the water and o'er the lea,That's the way for Billy and me.James Hogg
Where the pools are bright and deep,Where the gray trout lies asleep,Up the river and o'er the lea,That's the way for Billy and me.
Where the pools are bright and deep,
Where the gray trout lies asleep,
Up the river and o'er the lea,
That's the way for Billy and me.
Where the blackbird sings the latest,Where the hawthorn blooms the sweetest,Where the nestlings chirp and flee,That's the way for Billy and me.
Where the blackbird sings the latest,
Where the hawthorn blooms the sweetest,
Where the nestlings chirp and flee,
That's the way for Billy and me.
Where the mowers mow the cleanest,Where the hay lies thick and greenest,There to trace the homeward bee,That's the way for Billy and me.[page 95]
Where the mowers mow the cleanest,
Where the hay lies thick and greenest,
There to trace the homeward bee,
That's the way for Billy and me.
Where the hazel bank is steepest,Where the shadow falls the deepest,Where the clustering nuts fall free,That's the way for Billy and me.
Where the hazel bank is steepest,
Where the shadow falls the deepest,
Where the clustering nuts fall free,
That's the way for Billy and me.
Why the boys should drive awayLittle sweet maidens from the play,Or love to banter and fight so well,That's the thing I never could tell.
Why the boys should drive away
Little sweet maidens from the play,
Or love to banter and fight so well,
That's the thing I never could tell.
But this I know, I love to play,Through the meadow, among the hay;Up the water and o'er the lea,That's the way for Billy and me.
But this I know, I love to play,
Through the meadow, among the hay;
Up the water and o'er the lea,
That's the way for Billy and me.
James Hogg
James Hogg
clover-leaves
Buttercups and daisies,Oh, the pretty flowers;Coming ere the spring time,To tell of sunny hours.While the trees are leafless,While the fields are bare,Buttercups and daisiesSpring up here and there.Ere the snowdrop peepeth,Ere the crocus bold,Ere the early primroseOpes its paly gold,Somewhere on the sunny bankButtercups are bright;Somewhere 'mong the frozen grassPeeps the daisy white.[page 96]Little hardy flowers,Like to children poor,Playing in their sturdy healthBy their mother's door,Purple with the north wind,Yet alert and bold;Fearing not, and caring not,Though they be a-cold!What to them is winter!What are stormy showers!Buttercups and daisiesAre these human flowers!He who gave them hardshipsAnd a life of care,Gave them likewise hardy strengthAnd patient hearts to bear.Mary Howitt
Buttercups and daisies,Oh, the pretty flowers;Coming ere the spring time,To tell of sunny hours.While the trees are leafless,While the fields are bare,Buttercups and daisiesSpring up here and there.
Buttercups and daisies,
Oh, the pretty flowers;
Coming ere the spring time,
To tell of sunny hours.
While the trees are leafless,
While the fields are bare,
Buttercups and daisies
Spring up here and there.
Ere the snowdrop peepeth,Ere the crocus bold,Ere the early primroseOpes its paly gold,Somewhere on the sunny bankButtercups are bright;Somewhere 'mong the frozen grassPeeps the daisy white.[page 96]
Ere the snowdrop peepeth,
Ere the crocus bold,
Ere the early primrose
Opes its paly gold,
Somewhere on the sunny bank
Buttercups are bright;
Somewhere 'mong the frozen grass
Peeps the daisy white.
Little hardy flowers,Like to children poor,Playing in their sturdy healthBy their mother's door,Purple with the north wind,Yet alert and bold;Fearing not, and caring not,Though they be a-cold!
Little hardy flowers,
Like to children poor,
Playing in their sturdy health
By their mother's door,
Purple with the north wind,
Yet alert and bold;
Fearing not, and caring not,
Though they be a-cold!
What to them is winter!What are stormy showers!Buttercups and daisiesAre these human flowers!He who gave them hardshipsAnd a life of care,Gave them likewise hardy strengthAnd patient hearts to bear.
What to them is winter!
What are stormy showers!
Buttercups and daisies
Are these human flowers!
He who gave them hardships
And a life of care,
Gave them likewise hardy strength
And patient hearts to bear.
Mary Howitt
Mary Howitt
clover-leaves
Down in a green and shady bedA modest violet grew;Its stalk was bent, it hung its head,As if to hide from view.And yet it was a lovely flower,Its color bright and fair;It might have graced a rosy bowerInstead of hiding there.Yet there it was content to bloom,In modest tints arrayed;And there diffused its sweet perfumeWithin the silent shade.[page 97]Then let me to the valley go,This pretty flower to see,That I may also learn to growIn sweet humility.Jane Taylor
Down in a green and shady bedA modest violet grew;Its stalk was bent, it hung its head,As if to hide from view.
Down in a green and shady bed
A modest violet grew;
Its stalk was bent, it hung its head,
As if to hide from view.
And yet it was a lovely flower,Its color bright and fair;It might have graced a rosy bowerInstead of hiding there.
And yet it was a lovely flower,
Its color bright and fair;
It might have graced a rosy bower
Instead of hiding there.
Yet there it was content to bloom,In modest tints arrayed;And there diffused its sweet perfumeWithin the silent shade.[page 97]
Yet there it was content to bloom,
In modest tints arrayed;
And there diffused its sweet perfume
Within the silent shade.
Then let me to the valley go,This pretty flower to see,That I may also learn to growIn sweet humility.
Then let me to the valley go,
This pretty flower to see,
That I may also learn to grow
In sweet humility.
Jane Taylor
Jane Taylor
clover-leaves
If ever I see,On bush or tree,Young birds in their pretty nest,I must not in play,Steal the birds away,To grieve their mother's breast.My mother, I know,Would sorrow so,Should I be stolen away;So I'll speak to the birdsIn my softest words,Nor hurt them in my play.And when they can flyIn the bright blue sky,They'll warble a song to me;And then if I'm sadIt will make me gladTo think they are happy and free.Lydia Maria Child
If ever I see,On bush or tree,Young birds in their pretty nest,I must not in play,Steal the birds away,To grieve their mother's breast.
If ever I see,
On bush or tree,
Young birds in their pretty nest,
I must not in play,
Steal the birds away,
To grieve their mother's breast.
My mother, I know,Would sorrow so,Should I be stolen away;So I'll speak to the birdsIn my softest words,Nor hurt them in my play.
My mother, I know,
Would sorrow so,
Should I be stolen away;
So I'll speak to the birds
In my softest words,
Nor hurt them in my play.
And when they can flyIn the bright blue sky,They'll warble a song to me;And then if I'm sadIt will make me gladTo think they are happy and free.
And when they can fly
In the bright blue sky,
They'll warble a song to me;
And then if I'm sad
It will make me glad
To think they are happy and free.
Lydia Maria Child
Lydia Maria Child
clover-leaves
When at home alone I sitAnd am very tired of it,I have just to shut my eyesTo go sailing through the skies—[page 98]To go sailing far awayTo the pleasant Land of Play;To the fairy land afarWhere the Little People are;Where the clover-tops are trees,And the rain-pools are the seas,And the leaves like little shipsSail about on tiny trips;And above the daisy treeThrough the grasses,High o'erhead the Bumble BeeHums and passes.In that forest to and froI can wander, I can go;See the spider and the fly,And the ants go marching byCarrying parcels with their feetDown the green and grassy streetI can in the sorrel sitWhere the ladybird alit.I can climb the jointed grass;And on highSee the greater swallows passIn the sky,And the round sun rolling byHeeding no such thing as I.Through the forest I can passTill, as in a looking-glass,Humming fly and daisy treeAnd my tiny self I see,Painted very clear and neatOn the rain-pool at my feet.Should a leaflet come to landDrifting near to where I stand,Straight I'll board that tiny boatRound the rain-pool sea to float.[page 99]Little thoughtful creatures sitOn the grassy coasts of it;Little things with lovely eyesSee me sailing with surprise.Some are clad in armor green—(These have sure to battle been!)Some are pied with ev'ry hue,Black and crimson, gold and blue;Some have wings and swift are gone;—But they all look kindly on.When my eyes I once againOpen and see all things plain;High bare walls, great bare floor;Great big knobs on drawer and door;Great big people perched on chairs,Stitching tucks and mending tears,Each a hill that I could climb,And talking nonsense all the time—O dear me,That I could beA sailor on the rain-pool sea,A climber in the clover-tree,And just come back, a sleepy-head,Late at night to go to bed.Robert Louis Stevenson
When at home alone I sitAnd am very tired of it,I have just to shut my eyesTo go sailing through the skies—[page 98]
When at home alone I sit
And am very tired of it,
I have just to shut my eyes
To go sailing through the skies—
To go sailing far awayTo the pleasant Land of Play;To the fairy land afarWhere the Little People are;Where the clover-tops are trees,And the rain-pools are the seas,And the leaves like little shipsSail about on tiny trips;And above the daisy treeThrough the grasses,High o'erhead the Bumble BeeHums and passes.In that forest to and froI can wander, I can go;See the spider and the fly,And the ants go marching byCarrying parcels with their feetDown the green and grassy streetI can in the sorrel sitWhere the ladybird alit.I can climb the jointed grass;And on highSee the greater swallows passIn the sky,And the round sun rolling byHeeding no such thing as I.
To go sailing far away
To the pleasant Land of Play;
To the fairy land afar
Where the Little People are;
Where the clover-tops are trees,
And the rain-pools are the seas,
And the leaves like little ships
Sail about on tiny trips;
And above the daisy tree
Through the grasses,
High o'erhead the Bumble Bee
Hums and passes.
In that forest to and fro
I can wander, I can go;
See the spider and the fly,
And the ants go marching by
Carrying parcels with their feet
Down the green and grassy street
I can in the sorrel sit
Where the ladybird alit.
I can climb the jointed grass;
And on high
See the greater swallows pass
In the sky,
And the round sun rolling by
Heeding no such thing as I.
Through the forest I can passTill, as in a looking-glass,Humming fly and daisy treeAnd my tiny self I see,Painted very clear and neatOn the rain-pool at my feet.Should a leaflet come to landDrifting near to where I stand,Straight I'll board that tiny boatRound the rain-pool sea to float.[page 99]
Through the forest I can pass
Till, as in a looking-glass,
Humming fly and daisy tree
And my tiny self I see,
Painted very clear and neat
On the rain-pool at my feet.
Should a leaflet come to land
Drifting near to where I stand,
Straight I'll board that tiny boat
Round the rain-pool sea to float.
Little thoughtful creatures sitOn the grassy coasts of it;Little things with lovely eyesSee me sailing with surprise.Some are clad in armor green—(These have sure to battle been!)Some are pied with ev'ry hue,Black and crimson, gold and blue;Some have wings and swift are gone;—But they all look kindly on.
Little thoughtful creatures sit
On the grassy coasts of it;
Little things with lovely eyes
See me sailing with surprise.
Some are clad in armor green—
(These have sure to battle been!)
Some are pied with ev'ry hue,
Black and crimson, gold and blue;
Some have wings and swift are gone;—
But they all look kindly on.
When my eyes I once againOpen and see all things plain;High bare walls, great bare floor;Great big knobs on drawer and door;Great big people perched on chairs,Stitching tucks and mending tears,Each a hill that I could climb,And talking nonsense all the time—O dear me,That I could beA sailor on the rain-pool sea,A climber in the clover-tree,And just come back, a sleepy-head,Late at night to go to bed.
When my eyes I once again
Open and see all things plain;
High bare walls, great bare floor;
Great big knobs on drawer and door;
Great big people perched on chairs,
Stitching tucks and mending tears,
Each a hill that I could climb,
And talking nonsense all the time—
O dear me,
That I could be
A sailor on the rain-pool sea,
A climber in the clover-tree,
And just come back, a sleepy-head,
Late at night to go to bed.
Robert Louis Stevenson
Robert Louis Stevenson
clover-leaves
"Will you walk a little faster?" said a whiting to a snail,"There's a porpoise close behind us, and he's treading on my tail.See how eagerly the lobsters and the turtles all advance!They are waiting on the shingle—will you come and join the dance?[page 100]Will you, won't you, will you, won't you, will you join the dance?Will you, won't you, will you, won't you, won't you join the dance?"You can really have no notion how delightful it will beWhen they take us up and throw us, with the lobsters, out to sea!"But the snail replied, "Too far, too far!" and gave a look askance—Said he thanked the whiting kindly, but he would not join the dance.Would not, could not, would not, could not, would not join the dance,Would not, could not, would not, could not, could not join the dance."What matters it how far we go?" his scaly friend replied,"There is another shore, you know, upon the other side.The further off from England the nearer is to France—Then turn not pale, beloved snail, but come and join the dance.Will you, won't you, will you, won't you, will you join the dance?Will you, won't you, will you, won't you, won't you join the dance?"Lewis Carroll
"Will you walk a little faster?" said a whiting to a snail,"There's a porpoise close behind us, and he's treading on my tail.See how eagerly the lobsters and the turtles all advance!They are waiting on the shingle—will you come and join the dance?[page 100]Will you, won't you, will you, won't you, will you join the dance?Will you, won't you, will you, won't you, won't you join the dance?
"Will you walk a little faster?" said a whiting to a snail,
"There's a porpoise close behind us, and he's treading on my tail.
See how eagerly the lobsters and the turtles all advance!
They are waiting on the shingle—will you come and join the dance?
Will you, won't you, will you, won't you, will you join the dance?
Will you, won't you, will you, won't you, won't you join the dance?
"You can really have no notion how delightful it will beWhen they take us up and throw us, with the lobsters, out to sea!"But the snail replied, "Too far, too far!" and gave a look askance—Said he thanked the whiting kindly, but he would not join the dance.Would not, could not, would not, could not, would not join the dance,Would not, could not, would not, could not, could not join the dance.
"You can really have no notion how delightful it will be
When they take us up and throw us, with the lobsters, out to sea!"
But the snail replied, "Too far, too far!" and gave a look askance—
Said he thanked the whiting kindly, but he would not join the dance.
Would not, could not, would not, could not, would not join the dance,
Would not, could not, would not, could not, could not join the dance.
"What matters it how far we go?" his scaly friend replied,"There is another shore, you know, upon the other side.The further off from England the nearer is to France—Then turn not pale, beloved snail, but come and join the dance.Will you, won't you, will you, won't you, will you join the dance?Will you, won't you, will you, won't you, won't you join the dance?"
"What matters it how far we go?" his scaly friend replied,
"There is another shore, you know, upon the other side.
The further off from England the nearer is to France—
Then turn not pale, beloved snail, but come and join the dance.
Will you, won't you, will you, won't you, will you join the dance?
Will you, won't you, will you, won't you, won't you join the dance?"
Lewis Carroll
Lewis Carroll
clover-leaves
Dark brown is the river,Golden is the sand.It flows along foreverWith trees on either hand.[page 101]Green leaves a-floating,Castles of the foam,Boats of mine a-boating—Where will all come home?On goes the riverAnd out past the mill,Away down the valley,Away down the hill.Away down the river,A hundred miles or more,Other little childrenShall bring my boats ashore.Robert Louis Stevenson
Dark brown is the river,Golden is the sand.It flows along foreverWith trees on either hand.[page 101]
Dark brown is the river,
Golden is the sand.
It flows along forever
With trees on either hand.
Green leaves a-floating,Castles of the foam,Boats of mine a-boating—Where will all come home?
Green leaves a-floating,
Castles of the foam,
Boats of mine a-boating—
Where will all come home?
On goes the riverAnd out past the mill,Away down the valley,Away down the hill.
On goes the river
And out past the mill,
Away down the valley,
Away down the hill.
Away down the river,A hundred miles or more,Other little childrenShall bring my boats ashore.
Away down the river,
A hundred miles or more,
Other little children
Shall bring my boats ashore.
Robert Louis Stevenson
Robert Louis Stevenson
clover-leaves
Said the Wind to the Moon, "I will blow you out;You stareIn the airLike a ghost in a chair,Always looking what I am about—I hate to be watched; I'll blow you out."The Wind blew hard, and out went the Moon.So, deepOn a heapOf clouds to sleep,Down lay the Wind, and slumbered soon,Muttering low, "I've done for that Moon."He turned in his bed; she was there again!On highIn the sky,With her one ghost eye,The Moon shone white and alive and plain.Said the Wind, "I will blow you out again."[page 102]The Wind blew hard, and the Moon grew dim."With my sledge,And my wedge,I have knocked off her edge!If only I blow right fierce and grim,The creature will soon be dimmer than dim."He blew and he blew, and she thinned to a thread,"One puffMore's enoughTo blow her to snuff!One good puff more where the last was bred,And glimmer, glimmer, glum will go the thread."He blew a great blast, and the thread was gone.In the airNowhereWas a moonbeam bare;Far off and harmless the shy stars shone—Sure and certain the Moon was gone!The Wind he took to his revels once more;On down,In town,Like a merry-mad clown,He leaped and hallooed with whistle and roar—"What's that?" The glimmering thread once more!He flew in a rage—he danced and blew;But in vainWas the painOf his bursting brain;For still the broader the Moon-scrap grew,The broader he swelled his big cheeks and blew.[page 103]Slowly she grew—till she filled the night,And shoneOn her throneIn the sky alone,A matchless, wonderful silvery light,Radiant and lovely, the queen of the night.Said the Wind: "What a marvel of power am I!With my breath,Good faith!I blew her to death—First blew her away right out of the sky—Then blew her in; what strength have I!"But the Moon she knew nothing about the affair;For highIn the sky,With her one white eye,Motionless, miles above the air,She had never heard the great Wind blare.George Macdonald
Said the Wind to the Moon, "I will blow you out;You stareIn the airLike a ghost in a chair,Always looking what I am about—I hate to be watched; I'll blow you out."
Said the Wind to the Moon, "I will blow you out;
You stare
In the air
Like a ghost in a chair,
Always looking what I am about—
I hate to be watched; I'll blow you out."
The Wind blew hard, and out went the Moon.So, deepOn a heapOf clouds to sleep,Down lay the Wind, and slumbered soon,Muttering low, "I've done for that Moon."
The Wind blew hard, and out went the Moon.
So, deep
On a heap
Of clouds to sleep,
Down lay the Wind, and slumbered soon,
Muttering low, "I've done for that Moon."
He turned in his bed; she was there again!On highIn the sky,With her one ghost eye,The Moon shone white and alive and plain.Said the Wind, "I will blow you out again."[page 102]
He turned in his bed; she was there again!
On high
In the sky,
With her one ghost eye,
The Moon shone white and alive and plain.
Said the Wind, "I will blow you out again."
The Wind blew hard, and the Moon grew dim."With my sledge,And my wedge,I have knocked off her edge!If only I blow right fierce and grim,The creature will soon be dimmer than dim."
The Wind blew hard, and the Moon grew dim.
"With my sledge,
And my wedge,
I have knocked off her edge!
If only I blow right fierce and grim,
The creature will soon be dimmer than dim."
He blew and he blew, and she thinned to a thread,"One puffMore's enoughTo blow her to snuff!One good puff more where the last was bred,And glimmer, glimmer, glum will go the thread."
He blew and he blew, and she thinned to a thread,
"One puff
More's enough
To blow her to snuff!
One good puff more where the last was bred,
And glimmer, glimmer, glum will go the thread."
He blew a great blast, and the thread was gone.In the airNowhereWas a moonbeam bare;Far off and harmless the shy stars shone—Sure and certain the Moon was gone!
He blew a great blast, and the thread was gone.
In the air
Nowhere
Was a moonbeam bare;
Far off and harmless the shy stars shone—
Sure and certain the Moon was gone!
The Wind he took to his revels once more;On down,In town,Like a merry-mad clown,He leaped and hallooed with whistle and roar—"What's that?" The glimmering thread once more!
The Wind he took to his revels once more;
On down,
In town,
Like a merry-mad clown,
He leaped and hallooed with whistle and roar—
"What's that?" The glimmering thread once more!
He flew in a rage—he danced and blew;But in vainWas the painOf his bursting brain;For still the broader the Moon-scrap grew,The broader he swelled his big cheeks and blew.[page 103]
He flew in a rage—he danced and blew;
But in vain
Was the pain
Of his bursting brain;
For still the broader the Moon-scrap grew,
The broader he swelled his big cheeks and blew.
Slowly she grew—till she filled the night,And shoneOn her throneIn the sky alone,A matchless, wonderful silvery light,Radiant and lovely, the queen of the night.
Slowly she grew—till she filled the night,
And shone
On her throne
In the sky alone,
A matchless, wonderful silvery light,
Radiant and lovely, the queen of the night.
Said the Wind: "What a marvel of power am I!With my breath,Good faith!I blew her to death—First blew her away right out of the sky—Then blew her in; what strength have I!"
Said the Wind: "What a marvel of power am I!
With my breath,
Good faith!
I blew her to death—
First blew her away right out of the sky—
Then blew her in; what strength have I!"
But the Moon she knew nothing about the affair;For highIn the sky,With her one white eye,Motionless, miles above the air,She had never heard the great Wind blare.
But the Moon she knew nothing about the affair;
For high
In the sky,
With her one white eye,
Motionless, miles above the air,
She had never heard the great Wind blare.
George Macdonald
George Macdonald
clover-leaves
"Where are you going, my pretty maid?""I am going a-milking, sir," she said."May I go with you, my pretty maid?""You're kindly welcome, sir," she said."What is your father, my pretty maid?""My father's a farmer, sir," she said."What is your fortune, my pretty maid?""My face is my fortune, sir," she said."Then I won't marry your my pretty maid.""Nobody asked you, sir," she said.Anonymous
"Where are you going, my pretty maid?""I am going a-milking, sir," she said."May I go with you, my pretty maid?""You're kindly welcome, sir," she said."What is your father, my pretty maid?""My father's a farmer, sir," she said."What is your fortune, my pretty maid?""My face is my fortune, sir," she said."Then I won't marry your my pretty maid.""Nobody asked you, sir," she said.
"Where are you going, my pretty maid?"
"I am going a-milking, sir," she said.
"May I go with you, my pretty maid?"
"You're kindly welcome, sir," she said.
"What is your father, my pretty maid?"
"My father's a farmer, sir," she said.
"What is your fortune, my pretty maid?"
"My face is my fortune, sir," she said.
"Then I won't marry your my pretty maid."
"Nobody asked you, sir," she said.
Anonymous
Anonymous
clover-leaves
[page 104]
I Found My Poor Little DollI Found My Poor Little Doll
I Found My Poor Little Doll
I once had a sweet little doll, dears,The prettiest doll in the world;Her cheeks were so red and white, dears,And her hair was so charmingly curled.But I lost my poor little doll, dears,As I played on the heath one day;And I cried for her more than a week, dears,But I never could find where she lay.I found my poor little doll, dears,As I played on the heath one day;Folks say she is terribly changed, dears,For her paint is all washed away,And her arms trodden off by the cows, dears,And her hair not the least bit curled;Yet for old sake's sake, she is still, dears,The prettiest doll in the world.Charles Kingsley
I once had a sweet little doll, dears,The prettiest doll in the world;Her cheeks were so red and white, dears,And her hair was so charmingly curled.But I lost my poor little doll, dears,As I played on the heath one day;And I cried for her more than a week, dears,But I never could find where she lay.
I once had a sweet little doll, dears,
The prettiest doll in the world;
Her cheeks were so red and white, dears,
And her hair was so charmingly curled.
But I lost my poor little doll, dears,
As I played on the heath one day;
And I cried for her more than a week, dears,
But I never could find where she lay.
I found my poor little doll, dears,As I played on the heath one day;Folks say she is terribly changed, dears,For her paint is all washed away,And her arms trodden off by the cows, dears,And her hair not the least bit curled;Yet for old sake's sake, she is still, dears,The prettiest doll in the world.
I found my poor little doll, dears,
As I played on the heath one day;
Folks say she is terribly changed, dears,
For her paint is all washed away,
And her arms trodden off by the cows, dears,
And her hair not the least bit curled;
Yet for old sake's sake, she is still, dears,
The prettiest doll in the world.
Charles Kingsley
Charles Kingsley
clover-leaves
Up into the cherry treeWho should climb but little me?I held the trunk with both my handsAnd looked abroad on foreign lands.I saw the next-door garden lie,Adorned with flowers, before my eye,And many pleasant faces moreThat I had never seen before.[page 105]I saw the dimpling river passAnd be the sky's blue looking-glass;The dusty roads go up and downWith people tramping in to town.If I could find a higher treeFarther and farther I should see,To where the grown-up river slipsInto the sea among the ships,To where the roads on either handLead onward into fairy land,Where all the children dine at five,And all the playthings come alive.Robert Louis Stevenson
Up into the cherry treeWho should climb but little me?I held the trunk with both my handsAnd looked abroad on foreign lands.
Up into the cherry tree
Who should climb but little me?
I held the trunk with both my hands
And looked abroad on foreign lands.
I saw the next-door garden lie,Adorned with flowers, before my eye,And many pleasant faces moreThat I had never seen before.[page 105]
I saw the next-door garden lie,
Adorned with flowers, before my eye,
And many pleasant faces more
That I had never seen before.
I saw the dimpling river passAnd be the sky's blue looking-glass;The dusty roads go up and downWith people tramping in to town.
I saw the dimpling river pass
And be the sky's blue looking-glass;
The dusty roads go up and down
With people tramping in to town.
If I could find a higher treeFarther and farther I should see,To where the grown-up river slipsInto the sea among the ships,
If I could find a higher tree
Farther and farther I should see,
To where the grown-up river slips
Into the sea among the ships,
To where the roads on either handLead onward into fairy land,Where all the children dine at five,And all the playthings come alive.
To where the roads on either hand
Lead onward into fairy land,
Where all the children dine at five,
And all the playthings come alive.
Robert Louis Stevenson
Robert Louis Stevenson
clover-leaves
In winter I get up at nightAnd dress by yellow candle-light.In summer, quite the other way,I have to go to bed by day.I have to go to bed and seeThe birds still hopping on the tree,Or hear the grown-up people's feetStill going past me in the street.And does it not seem hard to you,When all the sky is clear and blue,And I should like so much to play,To have to go to bed by day?Robert Louis Stevenson
In winter I get up at nightAnd dress by yellow candle-light.In summer, quite the other way,I have to go to bed by day.
In winter I get up at night
And dress by yellow candle-light.
In summer, quite the other way,
I have to go to bed by day.
I have to go to bed and seeThe birds still hopping on the tree,Or hear the grown-up people's feetStill going past me in the street.
I have to go to bed and see
The birds still hopping on the tree,
Or hear the grown-up people's feet
Still going past me in the street.
And does it not seem hard to you,When all the sky is clear and blue,And I should like so much to play,To have to go to bed by day?
And does it not seem hard to you,
When all the sky is clear and blue,
And I should like so much to play,
To have to go to bed by day?
Robert Louis Stevenson
Robert Louis Stevenson
clover-leaves
[page 106]
'Tis a lesson you should heed,Try, try, try again;If at first you don't succeed,Try, try, try again.Once or twice though you should failTry again;If you would at last prevail,Try again.If we strive, 'tis no disgraceThough we may not win the race;What should you do in that case?Try again.If you find your task is hard,Try again;Time will bring you your reward,Try again.All that other folks can do,With your patience should not you?Only keep this rule in view—Try again.Anonymous
'Tis a lesson you should heed,Try, try, try again;If at first you don't succeed,Try, try, try again.
'Tis a lesson you should heed,
Try, try, try again;
If at first you don't succeed,
Try, try, try again.
Once or twice though you should failTry again;If you would at last prevail,Try again.If we strive, 'tis no disgraceThough we may not win the race;What should you do in that case?Try again.
Once or twice though you should fail
Try again;
If you would at last prevail,
Try again.
If we strive, 'tis no disgrace
Though we may not win the race;
What should you do in that case?
Try again.
If you find your task is hard,Try again;Time will bring you your reward,Try again.All that other folks can do,With your patience should not you?Only keep this rule in view—Try again.
If you find your task is hard,
Try again;
Time will bring you your reward,
Try again.
All that other folks can do,
With your patience should not you?
Only keep this rule in view—
Try again.
Anonymous
Anonymous
clover-leaves
We built a ship upon the stairsAll made of the back-bedroom chairs,And filled it full of sofa pillowsTo go a-sailing on the billows.[page 107]We took a saw and several nails,And water in the nursery pails;And Tom said, "Let us also takeAn apple and a slice of cake;"—Which was enough for Tom and meTo go a-sailing on, till tea.We sailed along for days and days,And had the very best of plays;But Tom fell out and hurt his knee,So there was no one left but me.Robert Louis Stevenson
We built a ship upon the stairsAll made of the back-bedroom chairs,And filled it full of sofa pillowsTo go a-sailing on the billows.[page 107]
We built a ship upon the stairs
All made of the back-bedroom chairs,
And filled it full of sofa pillows
To go a-sailing on the billows.
We took a saw and several nails,And water in the nursery pails;And Tom said, "Let us also takeAn apple and a slice of cake;"—Which was enough for Tom and meTo go a-sailing on, till tea.
We took a saw and several nails,
And water in the nursery pails;
And Tom said, "Let us also take
An apple and a slice of cake;"—
Which was enough for Tom and me
To go a-sailing on, till tea.
We sailed along for days and days,And had the very best of plays;But Tom fell out and hurt his knee,So there was no one left but me.
We sailed along for days and days,
And had the very best of plays;
But Tom fell out and hurt his knee,
So there was no one left but me.
Robert Louis Stevenson
Robert Louis Stevenson
clover-leaves
A Fair Little Girl Sat Under a TreeA Fair Little Girl Sat Under a Tree
A Fair Little Girl Sat Under a Tree
A fair little girl sat under a treeSewing as long as her eyes could see;Then smoothed her work and folded it right,And said, "Dear work, good night, good night!"Such a number of rooks came over her head,Crying, "Caw, caw!" on their way to bed,She said, as she watched their curious flight,"Little black things, good night, good night!"The horses neighed, and the oxen lowed,The sheep's "Bleat! bleat!" came over the road;All seeming to say, with a quiet delight,"Good little girl, good night, good night!"She did not say to the sun, "Good night!"Though she saw him there like a ball of light;For she knew he had God's time to keepAll over the world and never could sleep.[page 108]The tall pink foxglove bowed his head;The violets courtesied, and went to bed;And good little Lucy tied up her hair,And said, on her knees, her favorite prayer.And, while on her pillow she softly lay,She knew nothing more till again it was day;And all things said to the beautiful sun,"Good morning, good morning! our work is begun."Richard Monckton Milnes(Lord Houghton)
A fair little girl sat under a treeSewing as long as her eyes could see;Then smoothed her work and folded it right,And said, "Dear work, good night, good night!"
A fair little girl sat under a tree
Sewing as long as her eyes could see;
Then smoothed her work and folded it right,
And said, "Dear work, good night, good night!"
Such a number of rooks came over her head,Crying, "Caw, caw!" on their way to bed,She said, as she watched their curious flight,"Little black things, good night, good night!"
Such a number of rooks came over her head,
Crying, "Caw, caw!" on their way to bed,
She said, as she watched their curious flight,
"Little black things, good night, good night!"
The horses neighed, and the oxen lowed,The sheep's "Bleat! bleat!" came over the road;All seeming to say, with a quiet delight,"Good little girl, good night, good night!"
The horses neighed, and the oxen lowed,
The sheep's "Bleat! bleat!" came over the road;
All seeming to say, with a quiet delight,
"Good little girl, good night, good night!"
She did not say to the sun, "Good night!"Though she saw him there like a ball of light;For she knew he had God's time to keepAll over the world and never could sleep.[page 108]
She did not say to the sun, "Good night!"
Though she saw him there like a ball of light;
For she knew he had God's time to keep
All over the world and never could sleep.
The tall pink foxglove bowed his head;The violets courtesied, and went to bed;And good little Lucy tied up her hair,And said, on her knees, her favorite prayer.
The tall pink foxglove bowed his head;
The violets courtesied, and went to bed;
And good little Lucy tied up her hair,
And said, on her knees, her favorite prayer.
And, while on her pillow she softly lay,She knew nothing more till again it was day;And all things said to the beautiful sun,"Good morning, good morning! our work is begun."
And, while on her pillow she softly lay,
She knew nothing more till again it was day;
And all things said to the beautiful sun,
"Good morning, good morning! our work is begun."
Richard Monckton Milnes(Lord Houghton)
Richard Monckton Milnes
(Lord Houghton)