AN OLD-TIME AND A MODERN SONG

"Baby Bye,Here's a fly;Let us watch him, you and I.How he crawlsUp the walls;Yet he never falls!I believe with six such legsYou and I could walk on eggs.There he goesOn his toesTickling baby's nose."Daddy, dear,Oh, come here,For I fear a fly is near!There he goesOn his toesTouching baby's nose!Oh, alas, our child may die,Come and quickly swat this fly!Baby's ill,Get a pillAnd the fly germs kill!

"Baby Bye,Here's a fly;Let us watch him, you and I.How he crawlsUp the walls;Yet he never falls!I believe with six such legsYou and I could walk on eggs.There he goesOn his toesTickling baby's nose."

"Baby Bye,

Here's a fly;

Let us watch him, you and I.

How he crawls

Up the walls;

Yet he never falls!

I believe with six such legs

You and I could walk on eggs.

There he goes

On his toes

Tickling baby's nose."

Daddy, dear,Oh, come here,For I fear a fly is near!There he goesOn his toesTouching baby's nose!Oh, alas, our child may die,Come and quickly swat this fly!Baby's ill,Get a pillAnd the fly germs kill!

Daddy, dear,

Oh, come here,

For I fear a fly is near!

There he goes

On his toes

Touching baby's nose!

Oh, alas, our child may die,

Come and quickly swat this fly!

Baby's ill,

Get a pill

And the fly germs kill!

LEGEND OF WESTMINSTER ABBEY

Sebert the first East Saxon king,Who of our Christ did preach and singHe built the first church on the groundWhere fair Westminster now is found.And to this church 'tis often saidCame good St. Peter from the deadAnd with the angels sweet and fairDescending on a golden stairReaching from the Heavens aboveAnd bringing to this earth pure love.He consecrated and he blestThis Christian church above the restOf churches in old England's IsleAnd on this site the saints still smile.

Sebert the first East Saxon king,

Who of our Christ did preach and sing

He built the first church on the ground

Where fair Westminster now is found.

And to this church 'tis often said

Came good St. Peter from the dead

And with the angels sweet and fair

Descending on a golden stair

Reaching from the Heavens above

And bringing to this earth pure love.

He consecrated and he blestThis Christian church above the restOf churches in old England's IsleAnd on this site the saints still smile.

He consecrated and he blest

This Christian church above the rest

Of churches in old England's Isle

And on this site the saints still smile.

HOW MOTHER LEARNED NATURAL HISTORY

One day while sitting on the beachTalking of child trainingWith a most learned pedagogueFrom whose lips were rainingGreat torrents of most wondrous loreUpon most subjects known,My Mother learned one little factThis wise man did not own—And this through making a most sadAcquaintance with a bee,Who wore a yellow jacket suitTo show his family.This stinging warrior with his stingsFelt nothing of alarmAnd boldly marched beneath the laceThat covered Mother's arm.And when she tried to let him outHe stung her o'er and o'erAs if he had a warrior bandWell armed with stings galore.And when at last my Mother braveKilled this most wicked beeHer arm was, oh, so very sore,With ten lumps I could see.Said the professor solemnlyWhile gazing at her arm,"I thought my Natural History saidThat bees can do no harm;If they but use their stingers once,They ne'er can sting again.But you've been stung by some insectThat carriers stingers ten.""Oh, no," said Mother, with a smile,"It had one stinger wee,But now I call a yellow jacket,'Sting ad finem bee.'"

One day while sitting on the beach

Talking of child training

With a most learned pedagogue

From whose lips were raining

Great torrents of most wondrous lore

Upon most subjects known,

My Mother learned one little fact

This wise man did not own—

And this through making a most sad

Acquaintance with a bee,

Who wore a yellow jacket suit

To show his family.

This stinging warrior with his stings

Felt nothing of alarm

And boldly marched beneath the lace

That covered Mother's arm.

And when she tried to let him out

He stung her o'er and o'er

As if he had a warrior band

Well armed with stings galore.

And when at last my Mother brave

Killed this most wicked bee

Her arm was, oh, so very sore,

With ten lumps I could see.

Said the professor solemnlyWhile gazing at her arm,"I thought my Natural History saidThat bees can do no harm;If they but use their stingers once,They ne'er can sting again.But you've been stung by some insectThat carriers stingers ten."

Said the professor solemnly

While gazing at her arm,

"I thought my Natural History said

That bees can do no harm;

If they but use their stingers once,

They ne'er can sting again.

But you've been stung by some insect

That carriers stingers ten."

"Oh, no," said Mother, with a smile,"It had one stinger wee,But now I call a yellow jacket,'Sting ad finem bee.'"

"Oh, no," said Mother, with a smile,

"It had one stinger wee,

But now I call a yellow jacket,

'Sting ad finem bee.'"

THE DAYS OF CHIVALRY

In days of chivalry, so I've been told,All knights were gallant, kind and bold,But ladies though ever so modest and sweetMade the bold knights kneel down at their feet.

In days of chivalry, so I've been told,

All knights were gallant, kind and bold,

But ladies though ever so modest and sweet

Made the bold knights kneel down at their feet.

ON MIDSUMMER NIGHT

On midsummer night or St. John's eveIs fairies' night when they receiveAll their friends and all their slaves,The goblins, witches, trollish knaves.And if the olden tales be true,All men and maids have cause to rue,Who on this night dare go abroadAnd touch a foot to fairy sod;For naught will save them but to jumpRight o'er a fire or blazing stump.But if you're brave and do not fearThat for your rashness you'll pay dear,Then stand beneath an elder treeAnd King of Fairies you may see.Should you then wish to ride afarWith him to some far distant star,Then quickly tread St. John's wort flowerAnd he will show you "Fairies' Bower,"And also carry you all nightTo many lands, until the lightComes with Aurora's face so fair,When he will drop you anywhere,It matters not where he may be,On mountain, desert, or the sea.And therefore few men whom I knowAre brave enough with him to go.And think it best to bide at homeAnd not with fairies far to roam.

On midsummer night or St. John's eve

Is fairies' night when they receive

All their friends and all their slaves,

The goblins, witches, trollish knaves.

And if the olden tales be true,

All men and maids have cause to rue,

Who on this night dare go abroad

And touch a foot to fairy sod;

For naught will save them but to jump

Right o'er a fire or blazing stump.

But if you're brave and do not fearThat for your rashness you'll pay dear,Then stand beneath an elder treeAnd King of Fairies you may see.

But if you're brave and do not fear

That for your rashness you'll pay dear,

Then stand beneath an elder tree

And King of Fairies you may see.

Should you then wish to ride afarWith him to some far distant star,Then quickly tread St. John's wort flowerAnd he will show you "Fairies' Bower,"And also carry you all nightTo many lands, until the lightComes with Aurora's face so fair,When he will drop you anywhere,It matters not where he may be,On mountain, desert, or the sea.

Should you then wish to ride afar

With him to some far distant star,

Then quickly tread St. John's wort flower

And he will show you "Fairies' Bower,"

And also carry you all night

To many lands, until the light

Comes with Aurora's face so fair,

When he will drop you anywhere,

It matters not where he may be,

On mountain, desert, or the sea.

And therefore few men whom I knowAre brave enough with him to go.And think it best to bide at homeAnd not with fairies far to roam.

And therefore few men whom I know

Are brave enough with him to go.

And think it best to bide at home

And not with fairies far to roam.

BEWARE OF THE WET

Johnnie Jones, you'd bettah stopPaddlin' in de wet,Lest you grow to be a duckOr somethin' worser yetWith a pudgy mushroom headShaped like an umbrella,Which would make you, handsome lad,Such an ugly fellah.

Johnnie Jones, you'd bettah stop

Paddlin' in de wet,

Lest you grow to be a duck

Or somethin' worser yet

With a pudgy mushroom head

Shaped like an umbrella,

Which would make you, handsome lad,

Such an ugly fellah.

TO MODERN KNIGHTS

What would you do, oh, my good brothers,Should anyone insult your mothers,Your sisters, sweethearts or your wivesBy saying they lived worthless livesBecause they could not go to fightIn cruel war with men of might?The one who slandered women so,Ah, you would treat him as your foe.What would you do, oh, my good brothers,Should anyone insult your mothers,Your sisters, sweethearts or your wives,Declaring they lived worthless livesAnd classing them with lunaticsOr, even worse, with fierce convicts?The one who slandered women so,Ah, you would treat him as your foe.What would you do, oh, my good brothers,Should anyone insult your mothers,Your sisters, sweethearts or your wivesBy saying they are worthless lives,And that all women are inferiors,And even black men are superiors?The one who slandered women so,Ah, you would treat him as your foe.What would you do, oh, my good brothers,Should anyone insult your mothers,Your sisters, sweethearts or your wivesBy calling them mere worthless livesBecause all men now take the lead,E'en though they cannot write or read?The one who slandered women so,Ah, you would treat him as your foe.Awake! Arise! Oh, my good brothers,Your country's law insults your mothers,Your sisters, sweethearts and your wives,And classes them as worthless lives,Declaring that no vote have theyAs to who rules this U. S. A.So, modern knights, now make new lawsThat bear an equal franchise clause.

What would you do, oh, my good brothers,

Should anyone insult your mothers,

Your sisters, sweethearts or your wives

By saying they lived worthless lives

Because they could not go to fight

In cruel war with men of might?

The one who slandered women so,Ah, you would treat him as your foe.

The one who slandered women so,

Ah, you would treat him as your foe.

What would you do, oh, my good brothers,Should anyone insult your mothers,Your sisters, sweethearts or your wives,Declaring they lived worthless livesAnd classing them with lunaticsOr, even worse, with fierce convicts?

What would you do, oh, my good brothers,

Should anyone insult your mothers,

Your sisters, sweethearts or your wives,

Declaring they lived worthless lives

And classing them with lunatics

Or, even worse, with fierce convicts?

The one who slandered women so,Ah, you would treat him as your foe.

The one who slandered women so,

Ah, you would treat him as your foe.

What would you do, oh, my good brothers,Should anyone insult your mothers,Your sisters, sweethearts or your wivesBy saying they are worthless lives,And that all women are inferiors,And even black men are superiors?

What would you do, oh, my good brothers,

Should anyone insult your mothers,

Your sisters, sweethearts or your wives

By saying they are worthless lives,

And that all women are inferiors,

And even black men are superiors?

The one who slandered women so,Ah, you would treat him as your foe.

The one who slandered women so,

Ah, you would treat him as your foe.

What would you do, oh, my good brothers,Should anyone insult your mothers,Your sisters, sweethearts or your wivesBy calling them mere worthless livesBecause all men now take the lead,E'en though they cannot write or read?

What would you do, oh, my good brothers,

Should anyone insult your mothers,

Your sisters, sweethearts or your wives

By calling them mere worthless lives

Because all men now take the lead,

E'en though they cannot write or read?

The one who slandered women so,Ah, you would treat him as your foe.

The one who slandered women so,

Ah, you would treat him as your foe.

Awake! Arise! Oh, my good brothers,Your country's law insults your mothers,Your sisters, sweethearts and your wives,And classes them as worthless lives,Declaring that no vote have theyAs to who rules this U. S. A.

Awake! Arise! Oh, my good brothers,

Your country's law insults your mothers,

Your sisters, sweethearts and your wives,

And classes them as worthless lives,

Declaring that no vote have they

As to who rules this U. S. A.

So, modern knights, now make new lawsThat bear an equal franchise clause.

So, modern knights, now make new laws

That bear an equal franchise clause.

A SONG OF THE WOODS

"My leaves are turning crimson," the giant oak tree said,"It's almost time these children should seek their winter's bed,But how they still cling to me and gleam with crimson hue,They truly are more lovely than cirrus clouds of blue."And now throughout the forest—list! hear their voices ring,But 'tis in tones of sadness and sighing they now sing—'Alas! 'tis gone, fair summer, and winter's reign is near,He cruelly strips the forest of all her summer cheerBy killing all her lovely leaves and likewise flowers gayAnd driving all her fairy folk to homes of far away.'"

"My leaves are turning crimson," the giant oak tree said,

"It's almost time these children should seek their winter's bed,

But how they still cling to me and gleam with crimson hue,

They truly are more lovely than cirrus clouds of blue.

"And now throughout the forest—list! hear their voices ring,But 'tis in tones of sadness and sighing they now sing—'Alas! 'tis gone, fair summer, and winter's reign is near,He cruelly strips the forest of all her summer cheerBy killing all her lovely leaves and likewise flowers gayAnd driving all her fairy folk to homes of far away.'"

"And now throughout the forest—list! hear their voices ring,

But 'tis in tones of sadness and sighing they now sing—

'Alas! 'tis gone, fair summer, and winter's reign is near,

He cruelly strips the forest of all her summer cheer

By killing all her lovely leaves and likewise flowers gay

And driving all her fairy folk to homes of far away.'"

BRICK VERSUS WATCH

"Nursie, dear, oh, I'ze afraidI haz breakt a brickIn de big old fireplace.Please to mend it quick'Fore dear Muzzie tums alongAnd sees w'at I haz done,Poundin' with my Daddy's watchTer make it fasser run."

"Nursie, dear, oh, I'ze afraid

I haz breakt a brick

In de big old fireplace.

Please to mend it quick

'Fore dear Muzzie tums along

And sees w'at I haz done,

Poundin' with my Daddy's watch

Ter make it fasser run."

KOPPA AFTER PI

I've very little Latin and very little GreekStored away in my small brain, which yet is very weak,But one thing I'll remember, I think until I die,And that is that the KOPPA follows after Pi.And mother says that perhaps this solves the very reason whyThe "Kops" they follow after cooks well trained in baking pie.

I've very little Latin and very little Greek

Stored away in my small brain, which yet is very weak,

But one thing I'll remember, I think until I die,

And that is that the KOPPA follows after Pi.

And mother says that perhaps this solves the very reason why

The "Kops" they follow after cooks well trained in baking pie.

THE PAST AND PRESENT EVE

Where is the maid of the long agoWho stayed at home and knit?And where is she who won her wayHaving a fainting fit?Where is the maid who sat all dayWaiting a lover to callSo she might wed and ride awayUnto his manor hall?And where is she who always blushedAnd giggled "Tee-hee-hee!"Whene'er a noble "Adamite"She even chanced to see?Where is she with the wasp-like waistAnd Chinese hobbling feet,The maiden fair with light bleached hairWho thought she was too sweet?Where is the dame who left her babesUnto a servant's care,While she reposed or tried to makeHerself look wondrous fair?And where is she who wouldn't voteAnd did not care to knowWho guided this great ship of stateAnd saved it from the foe?She's gone away to "Has-been-realms,"And now we have insteadOur glorious type of womankindWho forges fast ahead.Our brothers who now make the lawsOf this great country fair,'Tis they alone who power haveTheir franchise rights to share.I pray you show your chivalry,Oh, all you worthy knights,And vote for equal franchise laws,Which are your sisters' rights!

Where is the maid of the long agoWho stayed at home and knit?And where is she who won her wayHaving a fainting fit?

Where is the maid of the long ago

Who stayed at home and knit?

And where is she who won her way

Having a fainting fit?

Where is the maid who sat all dayWaiting a lover to callSo she might wed and ride awayUnto his manor hall?

Where is the maid who sat all day

Waiting a lover to call

So she might wed and ride away

Unto his manor hall?

And where is she who always blushedAnd giggled "Tee-hee-hee!"Whene'er a noble "Adamite"She even chanced to see?

And where is she who always blushed

And giggled "Tee-hee-hee!"

Whene'er a noble "Adamite"

She even chanced to see?

Where is she with the wasp-like waistAnd Chinese hobbling feet,The maiden fair with light bleached hairWho thought she was too sweet?

Where is she with the wasp-like waist

And Chinese hobbling feet,

The maiden fair with light bleached hair

Who thought she was too sweet?

Where is the dame who left her babesUnto a servant's care,While she reposed or tried to makeHerself look wondrous fair?

Where is the dame who left her babes

Unto a servant's care,

While she reposed or tried to make

Herself look wondrous fair?

And where is she who wouldn't voteAnd did not care to knowWho guided this great ship of stateAnd saved it from the foe?

And where is she who wouldn't vote

And did not care to know

Who guided this great ship of state

And saved it from the foe?

She's gone away to "Has-been-realms,"And now we have insteadOur glorious type of womankindWho forges fast ahead.

She's gone away to "Has-been-realms,"

And now we have instead

Our glorious type of womankind

Who forges fast ahead.

Our brothers who now make the lawsOf this great country fair,'Tis they alone who power haveTheir franchise rights to share.

Our brothers who now make the laws

Of this great country fair,

'Tis they alone who power have

Their franchise rights to share.

I pray you show your chivalry,Oh, all you worthy knights,And vote for equal franchise laws,Which are your sisters' rights!

I pray you show your chivalry,

Oh, all you worthy knights,

And vote for equal franchise laws,

Which are your sisters' rights!

MY IMPRESSIONS OF NEWSPAPER MEN

[Written by request of a newspaper man.]

Newspaper men, so I believe,Have tongues that roll aroundAs if well oiled with labial grease,The slickest to be found.Most of these men are very niceAnd have a pleasant look,But if I utter one wee wordThey make it fill a book.Some one has said that simple smilesFor length can't be surpassed;Because there is a whole big mile'Twixt letters first and last.But I believe newspaper menCan make words longer still,With oceans rolling in betweenMade out of little rills.And as for questioning peopleNo Eves would dare competeWith skilful news reportersIn any question feat.But of all men I most adoreAre these newspaper men,And I would now most loudly cheerTHESE BRAVE KNIGHTS OF THE PEN.

Newspaper men, so I believe,Have tongues that roll aroundAs if well oiled with labial grease,The slickest to be found.

Newspaper men, so I believe,

Have tongues that roll around

As if well oiled with labial grease,

The slickest to be found.

Most of these men are very niceAnd have a pleasant look,But if I utter one wee wordThey make it fill a book.

Most of these men are very nice

And have a pleasant look,

But if I utter one wee word

They make it fill a book.

Some one has said that simple smilesFor length can't be surpassed;Because there is a whole big mile'Twixt letters first and last.

Some one has said that simple smiles

For length can't be surpassed;

Because there is a whole big mile

'Twixt letters first and last.

But I believe newspaper menCan make words longer still,With oceans rolling in betweenMade out of little rills.

But I believe newspaper men

Can make words longer still,

With oceans rolling in between

Made out of little rills.

And as for questioning peopleNo Eves would dare competeWith skilful news reportersIn any question feat.

And as for questioning people

No Eves would dare compete

With skilful news reporters

In any question feat.

But of all men I most adoreAre these newspaper men,And I would now most loudly cheerTHESE BRAVE KNIGHTS OF THE PEN.

But of all men I most adore

Are these newspaper men,

And I would now most loudly cheer

THESE BRAVE KNIGHTS OF THE PEN.

PETER VISITS AN EPISCOPAL CHURCH

When Peter who was a country jakeA visit to a church did makeHe sat with pleased look on his faceAs if indeed in Heaven's place.And after service when his MaPraised him aloud to his kind PaHe said, "Of course I sat quite stillAnd watched the preacher's wives so illAll dressed in nighties, though their hairWas primped and curled as for a fair."

When Peter who was a country jakeA visit to a church did makeHe sat with pleased look on his faceAs if indeed in Heaven's place.

When Peter who was a country jake

A visit to a church did make

He sat with pleased look on his face

As if indeed in Heaven's place.

And after service when his MaPraised him aloud to his kind PaHe said, "Of course I sat quite stillAnd watched the preacher's wives so illAll dressed in nighties, though their hairWas primped and curled as for a fair."

And after service when his Ma

Praised him aloud to his kind Pa

He said, "Of course I sat quite still

And watched the preacher's wives so ill

All dressed in nighties, though their hair

Was primped and curled as for a fair."

A GHOST STORY

On a dreadful stormy nightMy dear Tommy had a fightWith great Peter Snookum Snee,Cat of fighting pedigree.In this battle, sad to tell,My poor Tom, alas, he fell,Ending thus his earthly lifeThrough the wicked God of Strife.On the next night while in bed,Sleepless and with aching head,For my Tom, my precious pet,My poor eyes with tears were wet.Suddenly his voice I heard,And in ghostly whispers purred,"I am coming, mistress, dear,Yes, 'tis true I'm very near."Good cat heaven have I left,I would comfort you, bereftFor your precious Tommy pet,I would teach you not to fret."Do you hear me in the hallWith my ghostly soft footfall?Up the stairs I bound to thee,Jumping steps from one to three."Now my paw is on your door,I turn the knob one-two-three-four,And you may see your Tommy now—Me-ow! Me-ow! Me-ow! ow! ow!"

On a dreadful stormy nightMy dear Tommy had a fightWith great Peter Snookum Snee,Cat of fighting pedigree.

On a dreadful stormy night

My dear Tommy had a fight

With great Peter Snookum Snee,

Cat of fighting pedigree.

In this battle, sad to tell,My poor Tom, alas, he fell,Ending thus his earthly lifeThrough the wicked God of Strife.

In this battle, sad to tell,

My poor Tom, alas, he fell,

Ending thus his earthly life

Through the wicked God of Strife.

On the next night while in bed,Sleepless and with aching head,For my Tom, my precious pet,My poor eyes with tears were wet.

On the next night while in bed,

Sleepless and with aching head,

For my Tom, my precious pet,

My poor eyes with tears were wet.

Suddenly his voice I heard,And in ghostly whispers purred,"I am coming, mistress, dear,Yes, 'tis true I'm very near.

Suddenly his voice I heard,

And in ghostly whispers purred,

"I am coming, mistress, dear,

Yes, 'tis true I'm very near.

"Good cat heaven have I left,I would comfort you, bereftFor your precious Tommy pet,I would teach you not to fret.

"Good cat heaven have I left,

I would comfort you, bereft

For your precious Tommy pet,

I would teach you not to fret.

"Do you hear me in the hallWith my ghostly soft footfall?Up the stairs I bound to thee,Jumping steps from one to three.

"Do you hear me in the hall

With my ghostly soft footfall?

Up the stairs I bound to thee,

Jumping steps from one to three.

"Now my paw is on your door,I turn the knob one-two-three-four,And you may see your Tommy now—Me-ow! Me-ow! Me-ow! ow! ow!"

"Now my paw is on your door,

I turn the knob one-two-three-four,

And you may see your Tommy now—

Me-ow! Me-ow! Me-ow! ow! ow!"

AN ESPERANTO POEM PLAIN TO ALL

Hundido krias—"Bow-wow-wow!"Katido krias—"Meow-meow!"Bovido krias—"Moo-moo-moo!"Kolombo krias—"Coo-coo-coo!"Shafido krias—"Baa-baa-baa!"Infano krias—"Ma-ma-ma!"

Hundido krias—"Bow-wow-wow!"

Katido krias—"Meow-meow!"

Bovido krias—"Moo-moo-moo!"

Kolombo krias—"Coo-coo-coo!"

Shafido krias—"Baa-baa-baa!"

Infano krias—"Ma-ma-ma!"

THE WINDS OF MARCH

[Awarded Gold Medal in April (1912) Issue of St. Nicholas Magazine.]

Last March, "Imp March Winds" teased me so, I had no peace of mind,For when I took a little walk, these imps came close behind,And plucked my hat from off my head and hurled it to the ground,Or blew my handkerchief so far it never could be found.So, thinking of the Tangu rug, I asked it to appearAnd carry me away to Mars, where I need have no fearOf being tortured by these imps who love to tease and tease,And never let the big or small feel perfectly at ease.Then on the magic rug I flew away up in the air,And landed on the planet Mars. Alas, the imps were there!And working greater havoc far than they had done on earth,For 'twas indeed the warlike Mars that gave these bad imps birth.

Last March, "Imp March Winds" teased me so, I had no peace of mind,

For when I took a little walk, these imps came close behind,

And plucked my hat from off my head and hurled it to the ground,

Or blew my handkerchief so far it never could be found.

So, thinking of the Tangu rug, I asked it to appear

And carry me away to Mars, where I need have no fear

Of being tortured by these imps who love to tease and tease,

And never let the big or small feel perfectly at ease.

Then on the magic rug I flew away up in the air,

And landed on the planet Mars. Alas, the imps were there!

And working greater havoc far than they had done on earth,

For 'twas indeed the warlike Mars that gave these bad imps birth.

A BACHELOR'S OPINION OF A BABY

Said Auntie to a bachelor—"Do look at my fine boy!Oh, isn't he a cunning dear—His mother's greatest joy.""Ah, really," said the bachelor,While blushing rosy red,"And can he sit on his hind legsAnd beg when he is fed?"

Said Auntie to a bachelor—"Do look at my fine boy!Oh, isn't he a cunning dear—His mother's greatest joy."

Said Auntie to a bachelor—

"Do look at my fine boy!

Oh, isn't he a cunning dear—

His mother's greatest joy."

"Ah, really," said the bachelor,While blushing rosy red,"And can he sit on his hind legsAnd beg when he is fed?"

"Ah, really," said the bachelor,

While blushing rosy red,

"And can he sit on his hind legs

And beg when he is fed?"

MY COUNTRY

In this dear land we need not sighAnd fear as orphans we may die,As long as we can look on highAnd see the starry banner flyAbove the children passing by,Who gaze above, salute and cry,"MY COUNTRY!"

In this dear land we need not sigh

And fear as orphans we may die,

As long as we can look on high

And see the starry banner fly

Above the children passing by,

Who gaze above, salute and cry,

"MY COUNTRY!"

GREEDY IMPS

Nine goblins, ten witches, and bad imps galoreDanced round me last night and made me so sore.They pricked and they stabbed, they stung and they clawedAt my poor "tum-tum," oh, my, how they gnawed.I struggled against them while trembling with fearAnd crying out loudly, "Oh, Mother, come here!"Just like a good fairy she came to my aidAnd made the bad goblins so quickly to fadeAway in the darkness of "I-know-not-where,"I'm sure that no children would like to go there.And as Mother petted my poor aching headShe looked at me sadly and softly she said,"The imps you have seen came but at your callAs you were so greedy and ate nearly allThe rich candied cherries your uncle sent youInstead of obeying and eating a few."

Nine goblins, ten witches, and bad imps galore

Danced round me last night and made me so sore.

They pricked and they stabbed, they stung and they clawed

At my poor "tum-tum," oh, my, how they gnawed.

I struggled against them while trembling with fear

And crying out loudly, "Oh, Mother, come here!"

Just like a good fairy she came to my aidAnd made the bad goblins so quickly to fadeAway in the darkness of "I-know-not-where,"I'm sure that no children would like to go there.

Just like a good fairy she came to my aid

And made the bad goblins so quickly to fade

Away in the darkness of "I-know-not-where,"

I'm sure that no children would like to go there.

And as Mother petted my poor aching headShe looked at me sadly and softly she said,"The imps you have seen came but at your callAs you were so greedy and ate nearly allThe rich candied cherries your uncle sent youInstead of obeying and eating a few."

And as Mother petted my poor aching head

She looked at me sadly and softly she said,

"The imps you have seen came but at your call

As you were so greedy and ate nearly all

The rich candied cherries your uncle sent you

Instead of obeying and eating a few."

TO FRIENDS WHO REMEMBERED ME WHEN I WAS ILL

I thank you for the Fairies, you sent from KINDNESS BOWER,Bearing healing messages through thought, or deed, or flower,While wicked pains were troubling me and I felt very sad,Your loving little messengers, they came and made me gladBy telling cheerful stories of flowering shrub and tree,And driving through forgetfulness the horrid pains from me.

I thank you for the Fairies, you sent from KINDNESS BOWER,

Bearing healing messages through thought, or deed, or flower,

While wicked pains were troubling me and I felt very sad,

Your loving little messengers, they came and made me glad

By telling cheerful stories of flowering shrub and tree,

And driving through forgetfulness the horrid pains from me.

GREETINGS TO NORFOLK

Greetings to the city of my birth, Norfolk town,Proud am I to claim this birthplace of renown,In Virginia's realms whose glory antedatesThat of all our country's other states.

Greetings to the city of my birth, Norfolk town,

Proud am I to claim this birthplace of renown,

In Virginia's realms whose glory antedates

That of all our country's other states.

ORIENTAL METAPHOR

Anysing just suits me,Makes me happy be,All I needs to trinkeeIs few leaves of teaWith a drop of waterNo more than you meetIn ze little holeletsMade by chickens' feet.And as to my eatin'Weenty sings suffice,All I needs for dinnerIz a grain ob rice.Oh, I eat so littleFor my biggish size,I'ze just like a hound dogOnly munchin' flies.

Anysing just suits me,

Makes me happy be,

All I needs to trinkee

Is few leaves of tea

With a drop of water

No more than you meet

In ze little holelets

Made by chickens' feet.

And as to my eatin'

Weenty sings suffice,

All I needs for dinner

Iz a grain ob rice.

Oh, I eat so little

For my biggish size,

I'ze just like a hound dog

Only munchin' flies.

A TORPID LIVER 'SPLODED HIM

Johnnie's father's gone to HeavenSo his mother told my maDoctor said a torpid liverKilled poor Johnnie's sickly pa.'Spose it 'sploded and then shot himWay up in the clouds above,Where his pieces were unitedBy the angels' songs of love.

Johnnie's father's gone to HeavenSo his mother told my maDoctor said a torpid liverKilled poor Johnnie's sickly pa.

Johnnie's father's gone to Heaven

So his mother told my ma

Doctor said a torpid liver

Killed poor Johnnie's sickly pa.

'Spose it 'sploded and then shot himWay up in the clouds above,Where his pieces were unitedBy the angels' songs of love.

'Spose it 'sploded and then shot him

Way up in the clouds above,

Where his pieces were united

By the angels' songs of love.

THE SOUL OF A MISER

'Tis said that the soul of a miserly man,So small it becomes that any one canBlow it right through a tiny round pillThence through the top of a humming bird's billInto the eye of a wee little bug,Which wouldn't cause it to wink or to shrug.

'Tis said that the soul of a miserly man,

So small it becomes that any one can

Blow it right through a tiny round pill

Thence through the top of a humming bird's bill

Into the eye of a wee little bug,

Which wouldn't cause it to wink or to shrug.

LEARNING THE FRENCH ALPHABET

PROFESSOR GROS TO HIS PUPILS:Répétez, s'il vous plaît,Les bonnes lettres a, b, c.MAÎTRE CORBEAU:Non, ces lettres je n'aime pas,Je crie seulement k-k-k.PROFESSOR GROS:Répétez, s'il vous plaît,Les bonnes lettres, a, b, c.MAÎTRE COCHON:Non, non, non, je seulement disLa jolie lettre i-i-i.PROFESSOR GROS:Répétez, s'il vous plaît,Les bonnes lettres, a, b, c.MÉCHANT GARCON:Non, non, non, je seulement disLa comique lettre j-j-j.PROFESSOR GROS:Répétez, s'il vous plaît,Les bonnes lettres, a, b, c.LA MÉCHANTE FILLETTE:Non, non, non, pour faire bons motsJe préfére la grande lettre O——PROFESSOR GROS:Répétez, s'il vous plaît,Les bonnes lettres, a, b, c.LA VIELLE FILLE: FRANÇAISE:Non, non, non, je seulement saisLa douce bonne lettre t-t-t.

PROFESSOR GROS TO HIS PUPILS:

Répétez, s'il vous plaît,Les bonnes lettres a, b, c.

Répétez, s'il vous plaît,

Les bonnes lettres a, b, c.

MAÎTRE CORBEAU:

Non, ces lettres je n'aime pas,Je crie seulement k-k-k.

Non, ces lettres je n'aime pas,

Je crie seulement k-k-k.

PROFESSOR GROS:

Répétez, s'il vous plaît,Les bonnes lettres, a, b, c.

Répétez, s'il vous plaît,

Les bonnes lettres, a, b, c.

MAÎTRE COCHON:

Non, non, non, je seulement disLa jolie lettre i-i-i.

Non, non, non, je seulement dis

La jolie lettre i-i-i.

PROFESSOR GROS:

Répétez, s'il vous plaît,Les bonnes lettres, a, b, c.

Répétez, s'il vous plaît,

Les bonnes lettres, a, b, c.

MÉCHANT GARCON:

Non, non, non, je seulement disLa comique lettre j-j-j.

Non, non, non, je seulement dis

La comique lettre j-j-j.

PROFESSOR GROS:

Répétez, s'il vous plaît,Les bonnes lettres, a, b, c.

Répétez, s'il vous plaît,

Les bonnes lettres, a, b, c.

LA MÉCHANTE FILLETTE:

Non, non, non, pour faire bons motsJe préfére la grande lettre O——

Non, non, non, pour faire bons mots

Je préfére la grande lettre O——

PROFESSOR GROS:

Répétez, s'il vous plaît,Les bonnes lettres, a, b, c.

Répétez, s'il vous plaît,

Les bonnes lettres, a, b, c.

LA VIELLE FILLE: FRANÇAISE:

Non, non, non, je seulement saisLa douce bonne lettre t-t-t.

Non, non, non, je seulement sais

La douce bonne lettre t-t-t.

DANS MA MAISON

Dans ma maison jolie j'aiUn cheval, un perroquet,Un crocodile et un taureau,Une grande puce et un chevreau,Une vache, un âne et une brebis,Un papillon, des chauves-souris.Dans ma maison jolie j'aiUne tigresse, un terrier,Un épagneul et un agneau,Une girafe et un beau veau,Un phoque, un bouc et un chameau,Un singe, un boeuf et un corbeau.Dans ma maison jolie j'ai,Une ânesse, un lévrier,Une alouette et un lièvre,Une linotte et une bonne chèvre,Un boule-dogue et un moineau,Mon caniche si bon si beau.Dans ma maison jolie j'aiUne cigogne, des araignées,Une grande chenille, un léopard,Une tortue et un canard,Un aigle, une taupe, des lionceaux,Et un grand Monsieur Crapaud.Dans ma maison jolie j'aiUne baleine, un fier geai,Un éléphant et un bon chat,Un renard, beaucoup des rats,Une loutre, un tigre et un mulet,Un coq, une poule et des poulets.Dans ma maison jolie j'aiUne perruche, un bélier,Une jument et un hibouUn vautour et un loulou,Une pie, une mouche et une belette,Des autruches et une fauvette.Dans ma maison jolie j'aiUn serpent, un sanglier,Une sauterelle et Madame OieEt un grand chien DanoisTout le mond vit chez nousBêtes et gens-excepté vous!

Dans ma maison jolie j'aiUn cheval, un perroquet,Un crocodile et un taureau,Une grande puce et un chevreau,Une vache, un âne et une brebis,Un papillon, des chauves-souris.

Dans ma maison jolie j'ai

Un cheval, un perroquet,

Un crocodile et un taureau,

Une grande puce et un chevreau,

Une vache, un âne et une brebis,

Un papillon, des chauves-souris.

Dans ma maison jolie j'aiUne tigresse, un terrier,Un épagneul et un agneau,Une girafe et un beau veau,Un phoque, un bouc et un chameau,Un singe, un boeuf et un corbeau.

Dans ma maison jolie j'ai

Une tigresse, un terrier,

Un épagneul et un agneau,

Une girafe et un beau veau,

Un phoque, un bouc et un chameau,

Un singe, un boeuf et un corbeau.

Dans ma maison jolie j'ai,Une ânesse, un lévrier,Une alouette et un lièvre,Une linotte et une bonne chèvre,Un boule-dogue et un moineau,Mon caniche si bon si beau.

Dans ma maison jolie j'ai,

Une ânesse, un lévrier,

Une alouette et un lièvre,

Une linotte et une bonne chèvre,

Un boule-dogue et un moineau,

Mon caniche si bon si beau.

Dans ma maison jolie j'aiUne cigogne, des araignées,Une grande chenille, un léopard,Une tortue et un canard,Un aigle, une taupe, des lionceaux,Et un grand Monsieur Crapaud.

Dans ma maison jolie j'ai

Une cigogne, des araignées,

Une grande chenille, un léopard,

Une tortue et un canard,

Un aigle, une taupe, des lionceaux,

Et un grand Monsieur Crapaud.

Dans ma maison jolie j'aiUne baleine, un fier geai,Un éléphant et un bon chat,Un renard, beaucoup des rats,Une loutre, un tigre et un mulet,Un coq, une poule et des poulets.

Dans ma maison jolie j'ai

Une baleine, un fier geai,

Un éléphant et un bon chat,

Un renard, beaucoup des rats,

Une loutre, un tigre et un mulet,

Un coq, une poule et des poulets.

Dans ma maison jolie j'aiUne perruche, un bélier,Une jument et un hibouUn vautour et un loulou,Une pie, une mouche et une belette,Des autruches et une fauvette.

Dans ma maison jolie j'ai

Une perruche, un bélier,

Une jument et un hibou

Un vautour et un loulou,

Une pie, une mouche et une belette,

Des autruches et une fauvette.

Dans ma maison jolie j'aiUn serpent, un sanglier,Une sauterelle et Madame OieEt un grand chien DanoisTout le mond vit chez nousBêtes et gens-excepté vous!

Dans ma maison jolie j'ai

Un serpent, un sanglier,

Une sauterelle et Madame Oie

Et un grand chien Danois

Tout le mond vit chez nous

Bêtes et gens-excepté vous!

DANS MON JOLI JARDIN

Dans mon joli jardin j'aiDe belles roses et des oeilletsDes hyacinthes et des penséesDu chevrefeuille, des tulipes gaiesDes passe-roses, de l'orangerDe blancs lilacs parfumés.Dans mon joli jardin j'aiDes muguets et des bluetsDes campanules très coquettesLa simple et modeste violette,Des marguerites, de rouges pavotsDe beaux arbres si grands et haut!

Dans mon joli jardin j'ai

De belles roses et des oeillets

Des hyacinthes et des pensées

Du chevrefeuille, des tulipes gaies

Des passe-roses, de l'oranger

De blancs lilacs parfumés.

Dans mon joli jardin j'ai

Des muguets et des bluets

Des campanules très coquettes

La simple et modeste violette,

Des marguerites, de rouges pavots

De beaux arbres si grands et haut!

DANS MA CUISINE

AS AN AID IN MEMORIZING THE ARTICLES IN THE KITCHEN

Dans ma cuisine joilie j'aiUne poèle, et l'évier.Des cuilliers, et des couteauxUn balai, un fourneau,Une bouilloire, et une théièreEt ma bonne cuisinière.Dans ma cuisine jolie j'aiDes casseroles et un pass-thé,Des porcelaines, un joli moule,Beaucoup de plats et une grande boule,Des soucoupes une cafetièreEt ma bonne cuisinière.Dans ma cuisine jolie j'aiDe belles tasses, un pot à lait;Beaucoup de sucre et de farineSont toujours dans ma cuisine;Et la reine de ma pauvre mèreQui est notre cuisinière.Dans ma cuisine jolie j'aiUne grande armoire, une horloge vraieBeaucoup d'eau et bon caféDu chocolat, aussi du thé,Du vin, du lait, et la bìerePour notre bonne cuisinière.

Dans ma cuisine joilie j'aiUne poèle, et l'évier.Des cuilliers, et des couteauxUn balai, un fourneau,Une bouilloire, et une théièreEt ma bonne cuisinière.

Dans ma cuisine joilie j'ai

Une poèle, et l'évier.

Des cuilliers, et des couteaux

Un balai, un fourneau,

Une bouilloire, et une théière

Et ma bonne cuisinière.

Dans ma cuisine jolie j'aiDes casseroles et un pass-thé,Des porcelaines, un joli moule,Beaucoup de plats et une grande boule,Des soucoupes une cafetièreEt ma bonne cuisinière.

Dans ma cuisine jolie j'ai

Des casseroles et un pass-thé,

Des porcelaines, un joli moule,

Beaucoup de plats et une grande boule,

Des soucoupes une cafetière

Et ma bonne cuisinière.

Dans ma cuisine jolie j'aiDe belles tasses, un pot à lait;Beaucoup de sucre et de farineSont toujours dans ma cuisine;Et la reine de ma pauvre mèreQui est notre cuisinière.

Dans ma cuisine jolie j'ai

De belles tasses, un pot à lait;

Beaucoup de sucre et de farine

Sont toujours dans ma cuisine;

Et la reine de ma pauvre mère

Qui est notre cuisinière.

Dans ma cuisine jolie j'aiUne grande armoire, une horloge vraieBeaucoup d'eau et bon caféDu chocolat, aussi du thé,Du vin, du lait, et la bìerePour notre bonne cuisinière.

Dans ma cuisine jolie j'ai

Une grande armoire, une horloge vraie

Beaucoup d'eau et bon café

Du chocolat, aussi du thé,

Du vin, du lait, et la bìere

Pour notre bonne cuisinière.

UN PETIT BARBARE POU

[Written to remember that pou, genou, hibou, joujou, caillou, bijou and chou take X in the plural.]

Une fois un petit barbare pou,A donné grand mal au genouDu très sage et vieux hibouQui a jeté son joujou(Un petit, mais dur caillou)Qui etait son cher bijouÀ la tête du méchant pouFaisant lui un brisé chou.

Une fois un petit barbare pou,

A donné grand mal au genou

Du très sage et vieux hibou

Qui a jeté son joujou

(Un petit, mais dur caillou)

Qui etait son cher bijou

À la tête du méchant pou

Faisant lui un brisé chou.

WISE REPLIES

"Joan of Arc, and who was she?"Asked the teacher of little Leigh."Wife of Noah, of course," said she,"Who sailed the ark upon the sea.""John's so wise he laughed at LeighWhen she tried to answer me,So in the future for repliesWe'll always go to John the wise.Now what is lava, Johnnie, dear,Can it be found in places near?""Why, certainly," said smiling John,"Most everyday Dad puts it on,And covers nearly his whole faceWith lava thick in every place."

"Joan of Arc, and who was she?"Asked the teacher of little Leigh."Wife of Noah, of course," said she,"Who sailed the ark upon the sea."

"Joan of Arc, and who was she?"

Asked the teacher of little Leigh.

"Wife of Noah, of course," said she,

"Who sailed the ark upon the sea."

"John's so wise he laughed at LeighWhen she tried to answer me,So in the future for repliesWe'll always go to John the wise.Now what is lava, Johnnie, dear,Can it be found in places near?"

"John's so wise he laughed at Leigh

When she tried to answer me,

So in the future for replies

We'll always go to John the wise.

Now what is lava, Johnnie, dear,

Can it be found in places near?"

"Why, certainly," said smiling John,"Most everyday Dad puts it on,And covers nearly his whole faceWith lava thick in every place."

"Why, certainly," said smiling John,

"Most everyday Dad puts it on,

And covers nearly his whole face

With lava thick in every place."

I PREFER A LAZY BEE

Once I saw a little beeSitting very quietlyOn a baby elder tree.Coming near to the young beeI reproached him scornfully,Saying, "You're not busy, bee."Instantly the wicked beeMade himself to busy beBy most cruelly stinging me.Since that time I never seeAny busy buzzing beeBut I wish he'd lazy be.

Once I saw a little beeSitting very quietlyOn a baby elder tree.

Once I saw a little bee

Sitting very quietly

On a baby elder tree.

Coming near to the young beeI reproached him scornfully,Saying, "You're not busy, bee."

Coming near to the young bee

I reproached him scornfully,

Saying, "You're not busy, bee."

Instantly the wicked beeMade himself to busy beBy most cruelly stinging me.

Instantly the wicked bee

Made himself to busy be

By most cruelly stinging me.

Since that time I never seeAny busy buzzing beeBut I wish he'd lazy be.

Since that time I never see

Any busy buzzing bee

But I wish he'd lazy be.

WHEN WOMEN VOTE

[Written for the Evansville, Indiana, Courier.]

When women voteOn high will floatThe banner of true worth.No more Sir GraftOr Wily CraftShall rule good Mother Earth.Then peace will beOn land and sea,The goddess we adore.Not e'en a germOr ugly wormWill dare molest us more.

When women voteOn high will floatThe banner of true worth.No more Sir GraftOr Wily CraftShall rule good Mother Earth.

When women vote

On high will float

The banner of true worth.

No more Sir Graft

Or Wily Craft

Shall rule good Mother Earth.

Then peace will beOn land and sea,The goddess we adore.Not e'en a germOr ugly wormWill dare molest us more.

Then peace will be

On land and sea,

The goddess we adore.

Not e'en a germ

Or ugly worm

Will dare molest us more.

This jingle may be sung to the air ofAuld Lang Syne.

AN OLD GARDEN

In my old Savannah garden,There roses and jasmine grewAnd many sweet for-get-me-notsOf lovely shades of blue.Japonica's waxen blossomsOf purest white and pink,Wistarias with honey cupsFrom which the bees could drink.Sweet old-time shrubs whose odorsFilled all the sun-kissed airAnd many another beautyOf "Flora" was found there;So one would think that gardenA place of pure delight,But, alas, not so since Tom CatSang ditties there each night.

In my old Savannah garden,

There roses and jasmine grew

And many sweet for-get-me-nots

Of lovely shades of blue.

Japonica's waxen blossoms

Of purest white and pink,

Wistarias with honey cups

From which the bees could drink.

Sweet old-time shrubs whose odors

Filled all the sun-kissed air

And many another beauty

Of "Flora" was found there;

So one would think that garden

A place of pure delight,

But, alas, not so since Tom Cat

Sang ditties there each night.

SPELLING WRONG "RONG"

To-day I got a lickin'And teacher called me bad,But I can't see the reason—I guess it's just her fad.For when in class she asked me,"The word wrong will you spell?""R-O-N-G," I quickly cried,And thought that I did well."That's wrong!" she cried out fiercely,"I know it," I replied,While beaming with a pleasant grinSo very broad and wide.And then to think she seized meAnd called me "sassy boy"While lashing me with a peach limbAnd blasting all my joy.

To-day I got a lickin'

And teacher called me bad,

But I can't see the reason—

I guess it's just her fad.

For when in class she asked me,

"The word wrong will you spell?"

"R-O-N-G," I quickly cried,

And thought that I did well.

"That's wrong!" she cried out fiercely,

"I know it," I replied,

While beaming with a pleasant grin

So very broad and wide.

And then to think she seized me

And called me "sassy boy"

While lashing me with a peach limb

And blasting all my joy.

Back to Index Next