The Project Gutenberg eBook ofChristmas Roses

The Project Gutenberg eBook ofChristmas RosesThis ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this ebook or online atwww.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this eBook.Title: Christmas RosesAuthor: Lizzie LawsonRobert Ellice MackRelease date: May 29, 2008 [eBook #25634]Language: EnglishCredits: Produced by K. Nordquist, Jacqueline Jeremy and the OnlineDistributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (Thisfile was produced from images generously made availableby The Internet Archive/American Libraries.)*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CHRISTMAS ROSES ***

This ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this ebook or online atwww.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this eBook.

Title: Christmas RosesAuthor: Lizzie LawsonRobert Ellice MackRelease date: May 29, 2008 [eBook #25634]Language: EnglishCredits: Produced by K. Nordquist, Jacqueline Jeremy and the OnlineDistributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (Thisfile was produced from images generously made availableby The Internet Archive/American Libraries.)

Title: Christmas Roses

Author: Lizzie LawsonRobert Ellice Mack

Author: Lizzie Lawson

Robert Ellice Mack

Release date: May 29, 2008 [eBook #25634]

Language: English

Credits: Produced by K. Nordquist, Jacqueline Jeremy and the OnlineDistributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (Thisfile was produced from images generously made availableby The Internet Archive/American Libraries.)

*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CHRISTMAS ROSES ***

Tree

Title Page

Christmas RosesbyLizzie LawsonandRobert Elice Mack

Christmas Roses

Christmas Roses.Christmas RosesA BUNCHof Christmas Roses, dear,To greet my fairest child,I plucked them in my garden whereThe drifting snow lay piled.I cannot bring thee violets dear,Or cowslips growing wild,Or daisy chain for thee to wear,For thee to wear, my child.For all the grassy meadows nearAre clad with snow, my child;Through all the days of winter drearNo ray of sun has smiled.I plucked this bunch of verses, dear,From out my garden wild,I plucked them in the winter drearFor you, my fairest child,Your wet and wintry hours to cheer,They’re Christmas Roses, child.

Christmas Roses.

A BUNCHof Christmas Roses, dear,To greet my fairest child,I plucked them in my garden whereThe drifting snow lay piled.I cannot bring thee violets dear,Or cowslips growing wild,Or daisy chain for thee to wear,For thee to wear, my child.For all the grassy meadows nearAre clad with snow, my child;Through all the days of winter drearNo ray of sun has smiled.I plucked this bunch of verses, dear,From out my garden wild,I plucked them in the winter drearFor you, my fairest child,Your wet and wintry hours to cheer,They’re Christmas Roses, child.

A BUNCHof Christmas Roses, dear,To greet my fairest child,I plucked them in my garden whereThe drifting snow lay piled.

I cannot bring thee violets dear,Or cowslips growing wild,Or daisy chain for thee to wear,For thee to wear, my child.

For all the grassy meadows nearAre clad with snow, my child;Through all the days of winter drearNo ray of sun has smiled.

I plucked this bunch of verses, dear,From out my garden wild,I plucked them in the winter drearFor you, my fairest child,Your wet and wintry hours to cheer,They’re Christmas Roses, child.

The Christmas Stocking.THE CHRISTMAS STOCKING.Open quotationI DON’Tbelieve that Santa Claus will come to you and me,”Said little crippled Nell, “a’cause, we are so poor you see;And then I don’t believe the ‘chimbley’s’ wide enough for him,D’ye think that Santa Claus will come, when all the lights are dim.”“Of course he comes to every one, dear, whether rich or poor;Now go to bed dear Nell,” said Nan, “he’ll come to-night I’m sure.”* * * * *I don’t know if by chimney or if by stair he crept,But sure enough he visited the room where Nelly slept.He brought a golden orange, and a monkey red and blue,That climbed a little wooden stick in a way I couldn’t do.He hung them in Nell’s stocking, and Nan was right, be sure,That Santa Claus loves every one however rich or poor.

The Christmas Stocking.

Open quotationI DON’Tbelieve that Santa Claus will come to you and me,”Said little crippled Nell, “a’cause, we are so poor you see;And then I don’t believe the ‘chimbley’s’ wide enough for him,D’ye think that Santa Claus will come, when all the lights are dim.”“Of course he comes to every one, dear, whether rich or poor;Now go to bed dear Nell,” said Nan, “he’ll come to-night I’m sure.”* * * * *I don’t know if by chimney or if by stair he crept,But sure enough he visited the room where Nelly slept.He brought a golden orange, and a monkey red and blue,That climbed a little wooden stick in a way I couldn’t do.He hung them in Nell’s stocking, and Nan was right, be sure,That Santa Claus loves every one however rich or poor.

Open quotation

I DON’Tbelieve that Santa Claus will come to you and me,”Said little crippled Nell, “a’cause, we are so poor you see;And then I don’t believe the ‘chimbley’s’ wide enough for him,D’ye think that Santa Claus will come, when all the lights are dim.”“Of course he comes to every one, dear, whether rich or poor;Now go to bed dear Nell,” said Nan, “he’ll come to-night I’m sure.”

* * * * *

I don’t know if by chimney or if by stair he crept,But sure enough he visited the room where Nelly slept.He brought a golden orange, and a monkey red and blue,That climbed a little wooden stick in a way I couldn’t do.He hung them in Nell’s stocking, and Nan was right, be sure,That Santa Claus loves every one however rich or poor.

THE PET RABBIT.Open quotationI HAVEa little Bunny with a coat as soft as down,And nearly all of him is white except one bit of brown.The first thing in the morning when I get out of bed,I wonder if my Bunny’s still safe in his little shed.Andthen the next thing that I do I dare say you have guessed;It’s to go at once and see him, when I am washed and dressed.And every day I see him I like him more and more,And each day he is bigger than he was the day before.I feed him in the morning with bran and bits of bread,And every night I take some straw to make his little bed.What with carrots in the morning and turnip-tops for tea,If a bunny can be happy, I’m sure he ought to be.Then when it’s nearly bedtime I go down to his shed,And say ‘Good night you Bunny’ before I go to bed.I think there’s only one thing that would make me happy quite,If I could take my Bunny dear with me to bed at night?”

Open quotationI HAVEa little Bunny with a coat as soft as down,And nearly all of him is white except one bit of brown.The first thing in the morning when I get out of bed,I wonder if my Bunny’s still safe in his little shed.Andthen the next thing that I do I dare say you have guessed;It’s to go at once and see him, when I am washed and dressed.And every day I see him I like him more and more,And each day he is bigger than he was the day before.I feed him in the morning with bran and bits of bread,And every night I take some straw to make his little bed.What with carrots in the morning and turnip-tops for tea,If a bunny can be happy, I’m sure he ought to be.Then when it’s nearly bedtime I go down to his shed,And say ‘Good night you Bunny’ before I go to bed.I think there’s only one thing that would make me happy quite,If I could take my Bunny dear with me to bed at night?”

Open quotation

I HAVEa little Bunny with a coat as soft as down,And nearly all of him is white except one bit of brown.The first thing in the morning when I get out of bed,I wonder if my Bunny’s still safe in his little shed.

Andthen the next thing that I do I dare say you have guessed;It’s to go at once and see him, when I am washed and dressed.And every day I see him I like him more and more,And each day he is bigger than he was the day before.

I feed him in the morning with bran and bits of bread,And every night I take some straw to make his little bed.What with carrots in the morning and turnip-tops for tea,If a bunny can be happy, I’m sure he ought to be.

Then when it’s nearly bedtime I go down to his shed,And say ‘Good night you Bunny’ before I go to bed.I think there’s only one thing that would make me happy quite,If I could take my Bunny dear with me to bed at night?”

The Pet Rabbit.

FATHER’S BOAT.Open quotationIT’SFather’s boat we’re watching,Away out on the sea,She’s named the Pretty Polly,One hundred and ninety three,Father called her the Polly,After Mother and me.There isn’t a smarter boatThan Father’s on the sea,The Pretty Polly isourship,Father’s the skipper is he,And we are watching for Father,We’re watching, Nancy and me.Sometimes the wind blows wildly,But Nancy, and Mother, and me,We sing a bit of a hymn we know,The hymn for those at sea,Although when we think of Father,We’re as near to choke as can be.To-night the moon will be shining,A sight it will be to see,Father’s ship all in silver,A’sail on a silver sea,And Father himself a coming homeTo Mother and Nancy and me.

Open quotationIT’SFather’s boat we’re watching,Away out on the sea,She’s named the Pretty Polly,One hundred and ninety three,Father called her the Polly,After Mother and me.There isn’t a smarter boatThan Father’s on the sea,The Pretty Polly isourship,Father’s the skipper is he,And we are watching for Father,We’re watching, Nancy and me.Sometimes the wind blows wildly,But Nancy, and Mother, and me,We sing a bit of a hymn we know,The hymn for those at sea,Although when we think of Father,We’re as near to choke as can be.To-night the moon will be shining,A sight it will be to see,Father’s ship all in silver,A’sail on a silver sea,And Father himself a coming homeTo Mother and Nancy and me.

Open quotation

IT’SFather’s boat we’re watching,Away out on the sea,She’s named the Pretty Polly,One hundred and ninety three,Father called her the Polly,After Mother and me.

There isn’t a smarter boatThan Father’s on the sea,The Pretty Polly isourship,Father’s the skipper is he,And we are watching for Father,We’re watching, Nancy and me.

Sometimes the wind blows wildly,But Nancy, and Mother, and me,We sing a bit of a hymn we know,The hymn for those at sea,Although when we think of Father,We’re as near to choke as can be.

To-night the moon will be shining,A sight it will be to see,Father’s ship all in silver,A’sail on a silver sea,And Father himself a coming homeTo Mother and Nancy and me.

Father’s Boat.

A MISTAKE.Open quotationMYdears, whatever are you at?You ought to be at home;I told you not to wet your feet—I told you not to roam.“Oh, dear! I’m sure you will be drowned!Inever saw such tricksCome home at once, and go to bed,You naughty naughty chicks.”Now most of them were five days old,But one, whose age was six—“Please, ma’am,” said he, “I think we’re ducks;I don’t believe we’re chicks!”

Open quotationMYdears, whatever are you at?You ought to be at home;I told you not to wet your feet—I told you not to roam.“Oh, dear! I’m sure you will be drowned!Inever saw such tricksCome home at once, and go to bed,You naughty naughty chicks.”Now most of them were five days old,But one, whose age was six—“Please, ma’am,” said he, “I think we’re ducks;I don’t believe we’re chicks!”

Open quotation

MYdears, whatever are you at?You ought to be at home;I told you not to wet your feet—I told you not to roam.

“Oh, dear! I’m sure you will be drowned!Inever saw such tricksCome home at once, and go to bed,You naughty naughty chicks.”

Now most of them were five days old,But one, whose age was six—“Please, ma’am,” said he, “I think we’re ducks;I don’t believe we’re chicks!”

Little Ducks.

A SAD TALE.Open quotationWHO’Safraid of a cat?” said he;“I’m not afraid of a cat.”He was a bird who sat on a rail,With five other birds, and this was his tale.“I’m not afraid of a cat.”“Imightbe afraid if I were a mouse,Or even if I were a rat:But as I’m a birdI give you my wordI’m not afraid of a cat.”A cat and her kits came down on the scene,Five birds flew over the rail;Our hero was caughtAs quick as a thought,And didn’t he alter his tale!“You’ve made a mistake, Mister Cat,” said he;“You must please let me go, Mister Cat.I’m not at all nice,I don’t taste like mice:You’d much better have a young rat.”Said the cat, “It’s no use,You may be a goose,I’ll not let you go for all that.”

Open quotationWHO’Safraid of a cat?” said he;“I’m not afraid of a cat.”He was a bird who sat on a rail,With five other birds, and this was his tale.“I’m not afraid of a cat.”“Imightbe afraid if I were a mouse,Or even if I were a rat:But as I’m a birdI give you my wordI’m not afraid of a cat.”A cat and her kits came down on the scene,Five birds flew over the rail;Our hero was caughtAs quick as a thought,And didn’t he alter his tale!“You’ve made a mistake, Mister Cat,” said he;“You must please let me go, Mister Cat.I’m not at all nice,I don’t taste like mice:You’d much better have a young rat.”Said the cat, “It’s no use,You may be a goose,I’ll not let you go for all that.”

Open quotation

WHO’Safraid of a cat?” said he;“I’m not afraid of a cat.”He was a bird who sat on a rail,With five other birds, and this was his tale.“I’m not afraid of a cat.”

“Imightbe afraid if I were a mouse,Or even if I were a rat:But as I’m a birdI give you my wordI’m not afraid of a cat.”

A cat and her kits came down on the scene,Five birds flew over the rail;Our hero was caughtAs quick as a thought,And didn’t he alter his tale!

“You’ve made a mistake, Mister Cat,” said he;“You must please let me go, Mister Cat.I’m not at all nice,I don’t taste like mice:You’d much better have a young rat.”Said the cat, “It’s no use,You may be a goose,I’ll not let you go for all that.”

THE CREW OF THE NANCY LEE.POLLY’Sthe mate of the Nancy Lee,And Tom is the skipper bold,They sail togetherIn rough wind and weather,And they are the crew, all told.In their taut and trim little boat they rideAway o’er the bright blue sea,With hands ever ready,And hearts ever steady,Whatever the dangers may be.And a smarter crew will never be found,Though you may search the whole world round.

POLLY’Sthe mate of the Nancy Lee,And Tom is the skipper bold,They sail togetherIn rough wind and weather,And they are the crew, all told.In their taut and trim little boat they rideAway o’er the bright blue sea,With hands ever ready,And hearts ever steady,Whatever the dangers may be.And a smarter crew will never be found,Though you may search the whole world round.

POLLY’Sthe mate of the Nancy Lee,And Tom is the skipper bold,They sail togetherIn rough wind and weather,And they are the crew, all told.

In their taut and trim little boat they rideAway o’er the bright blue sea,With hands ever ready,And hearts ever steady,Whatever the dangers may be.And a smarter crew will never be found,Though you may search the whole world round.

Hie For Christmas.

HIE FOR CHRISTMAS!BRINGFrost, bring Snow,Come winter,Bring us holly,Bring joy at Christmas,Off with Melancholy!Sing hie, sing hey,Sing ho,Sing holly,Sing hie for Christmas!Isn’t winter jolly?Sing Jack, Sing Jill,Sing Jo,Sing Polly,Sing hie for Christmas,Mistletoe and Holly.

BRINGFrost, bring Snow,Come winter,Bring us holly,Bring joy at Christmas,Off with Melancholy!Sing hie, sing hey,Sing ho,Sing holly,Sing hie for Christmas!Isn’t winter jolly?Sing Jack, Sing Jill,Sing Jo,Sing Polly,Sing hie for Christmas,Mistletoe and Holly.

BRINGFrost, bring Snow,Come winter,Bring us holly,Bring joy at Christmas,Off with Melancholy!

Sing hie, sing hey,Sing ho,Sing holly,Sing hie for Christmas!Isn’t winter jolly?

Sing Jack, Sing Jill,Sing Jo,Sing Polly,Sing hie for Christmas,Mistletoe and Holly.

Putting Away The Toys.

BEDTIME.Open quotationIT’Sbedtime, bedtime, Cissy dear,It’s time to put away,Your little Noah’s ark dearUntil another day,You know it isn’t right at allTo tire yourself with play.And they too must be tired dear,The elephants want to goTo bed,—if they’re much later,They’ll all be ill I know,And every well bred camel,Is in bed long ago.And surely you can see dear,It really isn’t right,The little dove’s so tired dear,She scarce can stand upright.It does not do to keep them upSo very late at night.”

Open quotationIT’Sbedtime, bedtime, Cissy dear,It’s time to put away,Your little Noah’s ark dearUntil another day,You know it isn’t right at allTo tire yourself with play.And they too must be tired dear,The elephants want to goTo bed,—if they’re much later,They’ll all be ill I know,And every well bred camel,Is in bed long ago.And surely you can see dear,It really isn’t right,The little dove’s so tired dear,She scarce can stand upright.It does not do to keep them upSo very late at night.”

Open quotation

IT’Sbedtime, bedtime, Cissy dear,It’s time to put away,Your little Noah’s ark dearUntil another day,You know it isn’t right at allTo tire yourself with play.

And they too must be tired dear,The elephants want to goTo bed,—if they’re much later,They’ll all be ill I know,And every well bred camel,Is in bed long ago.

And surely you can see dear,It really isn’t right,The little dove’s so tired dear,She scarce can stand upright.It does not do to keep them upSo very late at night.”

PUSS IN THE CORNER.YOUare a naughty pussy-cat,I think it right to mention that,To all who see your picture here,’Twas you who broke my Bunny dear.An hour ago, as you can tell,I left him here, alive and well;And now he’sdeadand, what is more,You’ve broke his leg I’m pretty sure.For you my puss I’ll never care,No never, never, never,there,And you are in disgrace you know,And in the corner you must go.What crying? Then I must cry tooAnd I can’t bear to punish you;Perhaps my Bunny isn’t dead,Perhaps you’ve only stunned his head.And though I’m sure you broke his leg,It may be mended with a peg,And though he’s very, very, funny,My Bunny’s not a real Bunny,And I’ll forgive and tell you that,You’re my own precious pussy cat.”

YOUare a naughty pussy-cat,I think it right to mention that,To all who see your picture here,’Twas you who broke my Bunny dear.An hour ago, as you can tell,I left him here, alive and well;And now he’sdeadand, what is more,You’ve broke his leg I’m pretty sure.For you my puss I’ll never care,No never, never, never,there,And you are in disgrace you know,And in the corner you must go.What crying? Then I must cry tooAnd I can’t bear to punish you;Perhaps my Bunny isn’t dead,Perhaps you’ve only stunned his head.And though I’m sure you broke his leg,It may be mended with a peg,And though he’s very, very, funny,My Bunny’s not a real Bunny,And I’ll forgive and tell you that,You’re my own precious pussy cat.”

YOUare a naughty pussy-cat,I think it right to mention that,To all who see your picture here,’Twas you who broke my Bunny dear.

An hour ago, as you can tell,I left him here, alive and well;And now he’sdeadand, what is more,You’ve broke his leg I’m pretty sure.

For you my puss I’ll never care,No never, never, never,there,And you are in disgrace you know,And in the corner you must go.

What crying? Then I must cry tooAnd I can’t bear to punish you;Perhaps my Bunny isn’t dead,Perhaps you’ve only stunned his head.

And though I’m sure you broke his leg,It may be mended with a peg,And though he’s very, very, funny,My Bunny’s not a real Bunny,And I’ll forgive and tell you that,You’re my own precious pussy cat.”

Puss in the Corner.

THE LITTLE HE AND SHE.ONCEthere lived, I’m not sure where,May be Arcadee,Sweet-Heart and his mistress fair,Little He and She;And they danced a measure light,Danced in very glee.Hand in hand, a pretty sight,Little He and She.When they ceased his bright eyes fell,Darling must we stay?Can’t we dance so happilyYou and I for aye?Then she clasped his hand again,Whispered sweet and low,“Dearest, always hand in handYou and I will go.”So they danced with merry feet,E’en in Arcadee,Happier pair you ne’er will meet,Little He and She.

ONCEthere lived, I’m not sure where,May be Arcadee,Sweet-Heart and his mistress fair,Little He and She;And they danced a measure light,Danced in very glee.Hand in hand, a pretty sight,Little He and She.When they ceased his bright eyes fell,Darling must we stay?Can’t we dance so happilyYou and I for aye?Then she clasped his hand again,Whispered sweet and low,“Dearest, always hand in handYou and I will go.”So they danced with merry feet,E’en in Arcadee,Happier pair you ne’er will meet,Little He and She.

ONCEthere lived, I’m not sure where,May be Arcadee,Sweet-Heart and his mistress fair,Little He and She;

And they danced a measure light,Danced in very glee.Hand in hand, a pretty sight,Little He and She.

When they ceased his bright eyes fell,Darling must we stay?Can’t we dance so happilyYou and I for aye?

Then she clasped his hand again,Whispered sweet and low,“Dearest, always hand in handYou and I will go.”

So they danced with merry feet,E’en in Arcadee,Happier pair you ne’er will meet,Little He and She.

LITTLE BO-PEEP.LITTLEBo-peep has lost her Sheep,(It’s a secret to you I’m confiding.)At the end of the shelf,Where she put them herselfHer Baa-lambs are safely hiding.If you put a thing carefully, safely away,You’re sure not to find it when wanted next day.

LITTLEBo-peep has lost her Sheep,(It’s a secret to you I’m confiding.)At the end of the shelf,Where she put them herselfHer Baa-lambs are safely hiding.If you put a thing carefully, safely away,You’re sure not to find it when wanted next day.

LITTLEBo-peep has lost her Sheep,(It’s a secret to you I’m confiding.)At the end of the shelf,Where she put them herselfHer Baa-lambs are safely hiding.

If you put a thing carefully, safely away,You’re sure not to find it when wanted next day.

Hopes and Fears.

HOPES AND FEARS.LIKEclouds that flit across the sky,So follow hopes and fears.What in these clouds see you and meDear Sweetheart, smiles or tears?This little airy fleecy wing,That flits across the blue,What message Sweetheart does it bringOf hope or fear to you?Pray God it brings yousunny hoursAnd haply some fewtearsTo bless like showers your summer flowersIn the long coming years.

LIKEclouds that flit across the sky,So follow hopes and fears.What in these clouds see you and meDear Sweetheart, smiles or tears?This little airy fleecy wing,That flits across the blue,What message Sweetheart does it bringOf hope or fear to you?Pray God it brings yousunny hoursAnd haply some fewtearsTo bless like showers your summer flowersIn the long coming years.

LIKEclouds that flit across the sky,So follow hopes and fears.What in these clouds see you and meDear Sweetheart, smiles or tears?

This little airy fleecy wing,That flits across the blue,What message Sweetheart does it bringOf hope or fear to you?

Pray God it brings yousunny hoursAnd haply some fewtearsTo bless like showers your summer flowersIn the long coming years.

THE STORY BOOK FAIRY.SHALLI sing you a song, not short and not long,Of a story-book fairy who hides all amongThe covers and leaves of your pictures and prints,And colors them all with such beautiful tints?First he kisses the girls with the fairest of curlsThen they blush like red roses and each head whirls.In each little eye drops a bit of blue sky,And colors each frock with a wonderful dye.His breathing I ween is the wonderful sheen,That clothes trees and meadows with loveliest green,The buttercups bold, it need hardly be told,Are gilded by him with the finest of gold.It is he I suppose who paints the red rose,And the rest of the flowers which every one knows,And the same red will do (or a similar hue),For Robin and little Red Riding Hood too.He’s awake it is said when you are abed,For the picture-book doggies and cats must be fed,To the picture-book children some stories he’ll tell,And sometimes he’ll read them their verses as well.The moment you open your picture book heIs away out of sight as quick as can be,For fairy law says that a fairy must dieThe instant he’s seen by one human eye.

SHALLI sing you a song, not short and not long,Of a story-book fairy who hides all amongThe covers and leaves of your pictures and prints,And colors them all with such beautiful tints?First he kisses the girls with the fairest of curlsThen they blush like red roses and each head whirls.In each little eye drops a bit of blue sky,And colors each frock with a wonderful dye.His breathing I ween is the wonderful sheen,That clothes trees and meadows with loveliest green,The buttercups bold, it need hardly be told,Are gilded by him with the finest of gold.It is he I suppose who paints the red rose,And the rest of the flowers which every one knows,And the same red will do (or a similar hue),For Robin and little Red Riding Hood too.He’s awake it is said when you are abed,For the picture-book doggies and cats must be fed,To the picture-book children some stories he’ll tell,And sometimes he’ll read them their verses as well.The moment you open your picture book heIs away out of sight as quick as can be,For fairy law says that a fairy must dieThe instant he’s seen by one human eye.

SHALLI sing you a song, not short and not long,Of a story-book fairy who hides all amongThe covers and leaves of your pictures and prints,And colors them all with such beautiful tints?

First he kisses the girls with the fairest of curlsThen they blush like red roses and each head whirls.In each little eye drops a bit of blue sky,And colors each frock with a wonderful dye.

His breathing I ween is the wonderful sheen,That clothes trees and meadows with loveliest green,The buttercups bold, it need hardly be told,Are gilded by him with the finest of gold.

It is he I suppose who paints the red rose,And the rest of the flowers which every one knows,And the same red will do (or a similar hue),For Robin and little Red Riding Hood too.

He’s awake it is said when you are abed,For the picture-book doggies and cats must be fed,To the picture-book children some stories he’ll tell,And sometimes he’ll read them their verses as well.

The moment you open your picture book heIs away out of sight as quick as can be,For fairy law says that a fairy must dieThe instant he’s seen by one human eye.

SPRING.THEtiny crocus is so boldIt peeps its head above the mould,Before the flowers awaken,To say that spring is coming, dear,With sunshine and that winter drearWill soon be overtaken.

THEtiny crocus is so boldIt peeps its head above the mould,Before the flowers awaken,To say that spring is coming, dear,With sunshine and that winter drearWill soon be overtaken.

GOLDEN DAYS.THEREare days of summer sunshine,Of warm and sunny weather,When the hedge is full of hawthornAnd hills are glad with heather.There are days of silent sadness,Of frost, and snow, and rain,When we fear that summer’s gladnessWill never come again.And now our songs are minor key,And now in merry tune;The windward side will change to lee,And January to June.Day and night the sun is shining,Though he may hide his head;Each cloud has a silver lining,The flowers are asleep not dead.Every day may have its playtimeMade bright by cheerful lays;And life be one long Maytime,A year of golden days.

THEREare days of summer sunshine,Of warm and sunny weather,When the hedge is full of hawthornAnd hills are glad with heather.There are days of silent sadness,Of frost, and snow, and rain,When we fear that summer’s gladnessWill never come again.And now our songs are minor key,And now in merry tune;The windward side will change to lee,And January to June.Day and night the sun is shining,Though he may hide his head;Each cloud has a silver lining,The flowers are asleep not dead.Every day may have its playtimeMade bright by cheerful lays;And life be one long Maytime,A year of golden days.

THEREare days of summer sunshine,Of warm and sunny weather,When the hedge is full of hawthornAnd hills are glad with heather.

There are days of silent sadness,Of frost, and snow, and rain,When we fear that summer’s gladnessWill never come again.

And now our songs are minor key,And now in merry tune;The windward side will change to lee,And January to June.

Day and night the sun is shining,Though he may hide his head;Each cloud has a silver lining,The flowers are asleep not dead.

Every day may have its playtimeMade bright by cheerful lays;And life be one long Maytime,A year of golden days.

Golden Days.

A SLANDER.Open quotationSHAKEhands, shake hands my little girl,”Said Mister Crab to Nell,“I’m very glad to meet you dear,I hope you are quite well.I think it’s very hot to-day,I feel it in my shell.”“I can’t shake hands with you,” said Nell,“It isn’t thought polite,Without an introduction;Besides, no doubt it’s spite,It mayn’t be true, but still they do,They do say that you—BITE.”

Open quotationSHAKEhands, shake hands my little girl,”Said Mister Crab to Nell,“I’m very glad to meet you dear,I hope you are quite well.I think it’s very hot to-day,I feel it in my shell.”“I can’t shake hands with you,” said Nell,“It isn’t thought polite,Without an introduction;Besides, no doubt it’s spite,It mayn’t be true, but still they do,They do say that you—BITE.”

Open quotation

SHAKEhands, shake hands my little girl,”Said Mister Crab to Nell,“I’m very glad to meet you dear,I hope you are quite well.I think it’s very hot to-day,I feel it in my shell.”

“I can’t shake hands with you,” said Nell,“It isn’t thought polite,Without an introduction;Besides, no doubt it’s spite,It mayn’t be true, but still they do,They do say that you—BITE.”

A SONG.I HEARa SongI think ’tis a thrush’s.He sings to the Wild RoseSee how she blushes!

I HEARa SongI think ’tis a thrush’s.He sings to the Wild RoseSee how she blushes!

The Evening Hour.

NEARLY BEDTIME.ONLYhalf an hour or soBefore nurse calls them to bed,And the ruddy light of a cheerful fireShines over each curly head.No trouble have they, no sorrow—Their hearts are lighter than air,No fear that a dark to-morrowMay bring with it want or care.God send them each on their pathwayMany a wayside flower;And grant, in the evening of lifetime,The joy of the evening hour.

ONLYhalf an hour or soBefore nurse calls them to bed,And the ruddy light of a cheerful fireShines over each curly head.No trouble have they, no sorrow—Their hearts are lighter than air,No fear that a dark to-morrowMay bring with it want or care.God send them each on their pathwayMany a wayside flower;And grant, in the evening of lifetime,The joy of the evening hour.

ONLYhalf an hour or soBefore nurse calls them to bed,And the ruddy light of a cheerful fireShines over each curly head.

No trouble have they, no sorrow—Their hearts are lighter than air,No fear that a dark to-morrowMay bring with it want or care.

God send them each on their pathwayMany a wayside flower;And grant, in the evening of lifetime,The joy of the evening hour.

Lithographed and printed by Ernest Nister of Nuremberg.

Transcriber’s Note:In the first line of the second verse of The Pet Rabbit “than” has been changed to “then”. An apostrophe has been added to the title of “Father’s Boat“ and a hyphen added to “to-night”.

Transcriber’s Note:

In the first line of the second verse of The Pet Rabbit “than” has been changed to “then”. An apostrophe has been added to the title of “Father’s Boat“ and a hyphen added to “to-night”.

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