TO BABY.

[26]

Oh, what shall my blue eyes go see?Shall it be pretty Quack-Quack to-day?Or the Peacock upon the Yew Tree?Or the dear little white Lambs at play?Say Baby.For Baby is such a young Petsy,And Baby is such a sweet Dear.And Baby is growing quite old now—She's just getting on for a year.

Oh, what shall my blue eyes go see?

Shall it be pretty Quack-Quack to-day?

Or the Peacock upon the Yew Tree?

Or the dear little white Lambs at play?

Say Baby.

For Baby is such a young Petsy,

And Baby is such a sweet Dear.

And Baby is growing quite old now—

She's just getting on for a year.

[27]

[28]

Willy said to his sister,"Please may I go with you?"She said, "You must behaveVery nicely if you do.""Please will you take me thenTo look at the mill?""Yes," she said, "because you areSo very good—I will.""The miller he isSo very white and kind;And sprinkled all overWith the flour they grind.

Willy said to his sister,"Please may I go with you?"She said, "You must behaveVery nicely if you do."

Willy said to his sister,

"Please may I go with you?"

She said, "You must behave

Very nicely if you do."

"Please will you take me thenTo look at the mill?""Yes," she said, "because you areSo very good—I will."

"Please will you take me then

To look at the mill?"

"Yes," she said, "because you are

So very good—I will."

"The miller he isSo very white and kind;And sprinkled all overWith the flour they grind.

"The miller he is

So very white and kind;

And sprinkled all over

With the flour they grind.

"And the big heaps of cornThat lie upon the floor;He will let me play with thoseI am quite sure."I like to hear the wheelMake such a rushing sound,And see the pretty waterGo round, and round, and round."So take me to the mill,For then you shall seeWhat a very, very good boyI really mean to be."

"And the big heaps of cornThat lie upon the floor;He will let me play with thoseI am quite sure.

"And the big heaps of corn

That lie upon the floor;

He will let me play with those

I am quite sure.

"I like to hear the wheelMake such a rushing sound,And see the pretty waterGo round, and round, and round.

"I like to hear the wheel

Make such a rushing sound,

And see the pretty water

Go round, and round, and round.

"So take me to the mill,For then you shall seeWhat a very, very good boyI really mean to be."

"So take me to the mill,

For then you shall see

What a very, very good boy

I really mean to be."

[29]

Five little Girls, sitting on a form,Five little Girls, with lessons to learn,Five little Girls, who, I'm afraid,Won't know them a bit when they have to be said.For little eyes are given to lookAnywhere else than on their book;And little thoughts are given to strayAnywhere—ever so far away.

Five little Girls, sitting on a form,Five little Girls, with lessons to learn,Five little Girls, who, I'm afraid,Won't know them a bit when they have to be said.

Five little Girls, sitting on a form,

Five little Girls, with lessons to learn,

Five little Girls, who, I'm afraid,

Won't know them a bit when they have to be said.

For little eyes are given to lookAnywhere else than on their book;And little thoughts are given to strayAnywhere—ever so far away.

For little eyes are given to look

Anywhere else than on their book;

And little thoughts are given to stray

Anywhere—ever so far away.

[30]

"Are you going next week to see Phillis and Phoebe?Phillis on Monday will be just fourteen.She says we shall all have our tea in the garden,And afterwards have some nice games on the green."I wanted a new frock, but mother said, 'No,'So I must be content with my old one you see.But then white is so pretty, and kind Aunt MatildaHas sent down a beautiful necklace for me."

"Are you going next week to see Phillis and Phoebe?Phillis on Monday will be just fourteen.She says we shall all have our tea in the garden,And afterwards have some nice games on the green.

"Are you going next week to see Phillis and Phoebe?

Phillis on Monday will be just fourteen.

She says we shall all have our tea in the garden,

And afterwards have some nice games on the green.

"I wanted a new frock, but mother said, 'No,'So I must be content with my old one you see.But then white is so pretty, and kind Aunt MatildaHas sent down a beautiful necklace for me."

"I wanted a new frock, but mother said, 'No,'

So I must be content with my old one you see.

But then white is so pretty, and kind Aunt Matilda

Has sent down a beautiful necklace for me."

[31]

"Oh, yes, I am going, and Peggy is going,And mother is making us new frocks to wear;I shall have my red sash and my hat with pink ribbons—I know all the girls will be smart who are there."And then, too, we're going to each take a nosegay—The larger the better—for Phillis to sayThat all her friends love her, and wish her so happy,And bring her sweet flowers upon her birthday."And won't it be lovely, in beautiful sunshine,The table spread under the great apple tree,To see little Phillis—that dear little Phillis—Look smiling all round as she pours out the tea!"

"Oh, yes, I am going, and Peggy is going,And mother is making us new frocks to wear;I shall have my red sash and my hat with pink ribbons—I know all the girls will be smart who are there.

"Oh, yes, I am going, and Peggy is going,

And mother is making us new frocks to wear;

I shall have my red sash and my hat with pink ribbons—

I know all the girls will be smart who are there.

"And then, too, we're going to each take a nosegay—The larger the better—for Phillis to sayThat all her friends love her, and wish her so happy,And bring her sweet flowers upon her birthday.

"And then, too, we're going to each take a nosegay—

The larger the better—for Phillis to say

That all her friends love her, and wish her so happy,

And bring her sweet flowers upon her birthday.

"And won't it be lovely, in beautiful sunshine,The table spread under the great apple tree,To see little Phillis—that dear little Phillis—Look smiling all round as she pours out the tea!"

"And won't it be lovely, in beautiful sunshine,

The table spread under the great apple tree,

To see little Phillis—that dear little Phillis—

Look smiling all round as she pours out the tea!"

[32]

With Roses—red Roses,We'll pelt her with Roses,And Lilies—white Lilies we'll drop at her feet;The little Queen's coming,The people are running—The people are running to greet and to meet.

With Roses—red Roses,

We'll pelt her with Roses,

And Lilies—white Lilies we'll drop at her feet;

The little Queen's coming,

The people are running—

The people are running to greet and to meet.

Then clash out a welcome,Let all the bells sound, come,To give her a welcoming proud and sweet.How her blue eyes will beam,And her golden curls gleam,When the sound of our singing rings down the street.

Then clash out a welcome,

Let all the bells sound, come,

To give her a welcoming proud and sweet.

How her blue eyes will beam,

And her golden curls gleam,

When the sound of our singing rings down the street.

[33]

Dancing and prancing to town we go,On the top of the wall of the town we go.Shall we talk to the stars, or talk to the moon,Or run along home to our dinner so soon?

Dancing and prancing to town we go,

On the top of the wall of the town we go.

Shall we talk to the stars, or talk to the moon,

Or run along home to our dinner so soon?

[34]

So high—so high on the wall we run,The nearer the sky—why, the nearer the sun,If you give me one penny, I'll give you two,For that's the way good neighbours do.

So high—so high on the wall we run,

The nearer the sky—why, the nearer the sun,

If you give me one penny, I'll give you two,

For that's the way good neighbours do.

[35]

Tip-a-Toe,See them go;One, two, three—Chloe, Prue, and me;Up and down,To the town.A Lord was there,And the Lady fair.And what did they sing?Oh, "Ring-a-ding-ding;"And the Black Crow flew offWith the Lady's Ring.

Tip-a-Toe,

See them go;

One, two, three—

Chloe, Prue, and me;

Up and down,

To the town.

A Lord was there,

And the Lady fair.

And what did they sing?

Oh, "Ring-a-ding-ding;"

And the Black Crow flew off

With the Lady's Ring.

[36]

"My Polly is so very good,Belinda never cries;My Baby often goes to sleep,See how she shuts her eyes."Dear Mrs. Lemon tell me whenBelinda goes to school;And what time does she go to bed?""Well, eight o'clock's the rule."But now and then, just for a treat,I let her wait awhile;You shake your head—why, wouldn't you?Do look at Baby's smile!"

"My Polly is so very good,Belinda never cries;My Baby often goes to sleep,See how she shuts her eyes.

"My Polly is so very good,

Belinda never cries;

My Baby often goes to sleep,

See how she shuts her eyes.

"Dear Mrs. Lemon tell me whenBelinda goes to school;And what time does she go to bed?""Well, eight o'clock's the rule.

"Dear Mrs. Lemon tell me when

Belinda goes to school;

And what time does she go to bed?"

"Well, eight o'clock's the rule.

"But now and then, just for a treat,I let her wait awhile;You shake your head—why, wouldn't you?Do look at Baby's smile!"

"But now and then, just for a treat,

I let her wait awhile;

You shake your head—why, wouldn't you?

Do look at Baby's smile!"

[37]

"Dear Mrs. Primrose will you comeOne day next week to tea?Of course bring Rosalinda, andThat darling—Rosalie.""Dear Mrs. Cowslip, youarekind;My little folks, I know,Will be so very pleased to come;Dears—tell Mrs. Cowslip so."Oh, do you know—perhaps you've not heard—She had a dreadful fright;My Daisy with the measlesKept me up every night."And then I've been so worried—Clarissa had a fit;And the doctor said he couldn'tIn the least account for it."

"Dear Mrs. Primrose will you comeOne day next week to tea?Of course bring Rosalinda, andThat darling—Rosalie."

"Dear Mrs. Primrose will you come

One day next week to tea?

Of course bring Rosalinda, and

That darling—Rosalie."

"Dear Mrs. Cowslip, youarekind;My little folks, I know,Will be so very pleased to come;Dears—tell Mrs. Cowslip so.

"Dear Mrs. Cowslip, youarekind;

My little folks, I know,

Will be so very pleased to come;

Dears—tell Mrs. Cowslip so.

"Oh, do you know—perhaps you've not heard—She had a dreadful fright;My Daisy with the measlesKept me up every night.

"Oh, do you know—perhaps you've not heard—

She had a dreadful fright;

My Daisy with the measles

Kept me up every night.

"And then I've been so worried—Clarissa had a fit;And the doctor said he couldn'tIn the least account for it."

"And then I've been so worried—

Clarissa had a fit;

And the doctor said he couldn't

In the least account for it."

[38]

Little girlie tell to meWhat your wistful blue eyes see?Why you like to stand so high,Looking at the far off sky.

Little girlie tell to me

What your wistful blue eyes see?

Why you like to stand so high,

Looking at the far off sky.

Does a tiny Fairy flitIn the pretty blue of it?Or is it that you hope so soonTo see the rising yellow Moon?

Does a tiny Fairy flit

In the pretty blue of it?

Or is it that you hope so soon

To see the rising yellow Moon?

Or is it—as I think I've heard—You're looking for a little BirdTo come and sit upon a spray,And sing the summer night away?

Or is it—as I think I've heard—

You're looking for a little Bird

To come and sit upon a spray,

And sing the summer night away?

[39]

[40]

What did she see—oh, what did she see,As she stood leaning against the tree?Why all the Cats had come to tea.

What did she see—oh, what did she see,

As she stood leaning against the tree?

Why all the Cats had come to tea.

What a fine turn out—from round about,All the houses had let them out,And here they were with scamper and shout.

What a fine turn out—from round about,

All the houses had let them out,

And here they were with scamper and shout.

"Mew—mew—mew!" was all they could say,And, "We hope we find you well to-day."

"Mew—mew—mew!" was all they could say,

And, "We hope we find you well to-day."

Oh, what should she do—oh, what should she do?What a lot of milk they would get through;For here they were with "Mew—mew—mew!"

Oh, what should she do—oh, what should she do?

What a lot of milk they would get through;

For here they were with "Mew—mew—mew!"

She didn't know—oh, she didn't know,If bread and butter they'd like or no;They might want little mice, oh! oh! oh!

She didn't know—oh, she didn't know,

If bread and butter they'd like or no;

They might want little mice, oh! oh! oh!

Dear me—oh, dear me,All the cats had come to tea.

Dear me—oh, dear me,

All the cats had come to tea.

[41]

In the pleasant green GardenWe sat down to tea;"Do you take sugar?" and"Do you take milk?"She'd got a new gown on—A smart one of silk.We all were so happyAs happy could be,On that bright Summer's dayWhen she asked us to tea.

In the pleasant green Garden

We sat down to tea;

"Do you take sugar?" and

"Do you take milk?"

She'd got a new gown on—

A smart one of silk.

We all were so happy

As happy could be,

On that bright Summer's day

When she asked us to tea.

[42]

Under Rose Arches to Rose Town—Rose Town on the top of the hill;For the Summer wind blows and music goes,And the violins sound shrill.

Under Rose Arches to Rose Town—

Rose Town on the top of the hill;

For the Summer wind blows and music goes,

And the violins sound shrill.

Twist and twine Roses and Lilies,And little leaves green,Fit for a queen;Twist and twine Roses and Lilies.

Twist and twine Roses and Lilies,

And little leaves green,

Fit for a queen;

Twist and twine Roses and Lilies.

Oh, Roses shall be for her carpet,And her curtains of Roses so fair;And a Rosy crown, while far adownFloats her long golden hair.

Oh, Roses shall be for her carpet,

And her curtains of Roses so fair;

And a Rosy crown, while far adown

Floats her long golden hair.

Twist and twine Roses and Lilies,And all the bells ring,And all the people sing;Twist and twine Roses and Lilies.

Twist and twine Roses and Lilies,

And all the bells ring,

And all the people sing;

Twist and twine Roses and Lilies.

[43]

Some children are so naughty,And some are very good;But the Genteel FamilyDid always what it should.They put on gloves when they went out,And ran not in the street;And on wet days not one of themHad ever muddy feet.Then they were always so polite,And always thanked you so;And never threw their toys about,As naughty children do.

Some children are so naughty,And some are very good;But the Genteel FamilyDid always what it should.

Some children are so naughty,

And some are very good;

But the Genteel Family

Did always what it should.

They put on gloves when they went out,And ran not in the street;And on wet days not one of themHad ever muddy feet.

They put on gloves when they went out,

And ran not in the street;

And on wet days not one of them

Had ever muddy feet.

Then they were always so polite,And always thanked you so;And never threw their toys about,As naughty children do.

Then they were always so polite,

And always thanked you so;

And never threw their toys about,

As naughty children do.

[44]

They always learnt their lessonsWhen it was time they should;And liked to eat up all their crusts—They were so very good.And then their frocks were never torn,Their tuckers always clean;And their hair so very tidy—Always quite fit to be seen.Then they made calls with their mammaAnd were so very neat;And learnt to bow becominglyWhen they met you in the street.And really they were everythingThat children ought to be;And well may be examples nowFor little you—and me.

They always learnt their lessonsWhen it was time they should;And liked to eat up all their crusts—They were so very good.

They always learnt their lessons

When it was time they should;

And liked to eat up all their crusts—

They were so very good.

And then their frocks were never torn,Their tuckers always clean;And their hair so very tidy—Always quite fit to be seen.

And then their frocks were never torn,

Their tuckers always clean;

And their hair so very tidy—

Always quite fit to be seen.

Then they made calls with their mammaAnd were so very neat;And learnt to bow becominglyWhen they met you in the street.

Then they made calls with their mamma

And were so very neat;

And learnt to bow becomingly

When they met you in the street.

And really they were everythingThat children ought to be;And well may be examples nowFor little you—and me.

And really they were everything

That children ought to be;

And well may be examples now

For little you—and me.

[45]

Baby mine, over the trees;Baby mine, over the flowers;Baby mine, over the sunshine;Baby mine, over the showers.

Baby mine, over the trees;

Baby mine, over the flowers;

Baby mine, over the sunshine;

Baby mine, over the showers.

Baby mine, over the land;Baby mine, over the water.Oh, when had a mother beforeSuch a sweet—such a sweet, little daughter!

Baby mine, over the land;

Baby mine, over the water.

Oh, when had a mother before

Such a sweet—such a sweet, little daughter!

[46]

In the May-time flowers grow;Little girls in meadows go;Little lambs frisk with delight,And in the green grass sleep at night.Little birds sing all the day,Oh, in such a happy way!All the day the sun is bright,Little stars shine all the night.The Cowslip says to the Primrose,"How soft the little Spring wind blows!"The Daisy and the ButtercupSing every time that they look up.For beneath the sweet blue skyThey see a pretty Butterfly;The Butterfly, when he looks down,Says, "What a pretty Flower Town!"

In the May-time flowers grow;

Little girls in meadows go;

Little lambs frisk with delight,

And in the green grass sleep at night.

Little birds sing all the day,

Oh, in such a happy way!

All the day the sun is bright,

Little stars shine all the night.

The Cowslip says to the Primrose,

"How soft the little Spring wind blows!"

The Daisy and the Buttercup

Sing every time that they look up.

For beneath the sweet blue sky

They see a pretty Butterfly;

The Butterfly, when he looks down,

Says, "What a pretty Flower Town!"

[47]

Out of Wonder World I think you come;For in your eyes the wonder comes with you.The stars are the windows of Heaven,And sometimes I think you peep through.Oh, little girl, tell us do the FlowersTell you secrets when they find you all alone?Or the Birds and Butterflies whisperOf things to us unknown?

Out of Wonder World I think you come;

For in your eyes the wonder comes with you.

The stars are the windows of Heaven,

And sometimes I think you peep through.

Oh, little girl, tell us do the Flowers

Tell you secrets when they find you all alone?

Or the Birds and Butterflies whisper

Of things to us unknown?

Or do angel voices speak to you so softly,Whenweonly hear a little wind sigh;And the peaceful dew of Heaven fall upon youWhenweonly see a white cloud passing by?

Or do angel voices speak to you so softly,

Whenweonly hear a little wind sigh;

And the peaceful dew of Heaven fall upon you

Whenweonly see a white cloud passing by?

[48]

The King and the Queen were ridingUpon a Summer's day,And a Blackbird flew above them,To hear what they did say.The King said he liked apples,The Queen said she liked pears.And what shall we do to the BlackbirdWho listens unawares.

The King and the Queen were ridingUpon a Summer's day,And a Blackbird flew above them,To hear what they did say.

The King and the Queen were riding

Upon a Summer's day,

And a Blackbird flew above them,

To hear what they did say.

The King said he liked apples,The Queen said she liked pears.And what shall we do to the BlackbirdWho listens unawares.

The King said he liked apples,

The Queen said she liked pears.

And what shall we do to the Blackbird

Who listens unawares.

[49]

Oh, sweet Miss Molly,You're so fondOf Fishes in a little Pond.And perhaps they're gladTo see you stareWith such bright eyesUpon them there.And when your fingers and your thumbsDrop slowly in the small white crumbsI hope they're happy. Only this—When you've looked long enough, sweet miss.Then, most beneficent young giver,Restore them to their native river.

Oh, sweet Miss Molly,

You're so fond

Of Fishes in a little Pond.

And perhaps they're glad

To see you stare

With such bright eyes

Upon them there.

And when your fingers and your thumbs

Drop slowly in the small white crumbs

I hope they're happy. Only this—

When you've looked long enough, sweet miss.

Then, most beneficent young giver,

Restore them to their native river.

[50]

Jump—jump—jump—Jump awayFrom this town intoThe next, to-day.

Jump—jump—jump—

Jump away

From this town into

The next, to-day.

Jump—jump—jump—Jump over the moon;Jump all the morning,And all the noon.

Jump—jump—jump—

Jump over the moon;

Jump all the morning,

And all the noon.

[51]

Jump—jump—jump—Jump all night;Won't our mothersBe in a fright?Jump—jump—jump—Over the sea;What wonderful wondersWe shall see.

Jump—jump—jump—Jump all night;Won't our mothersBe in a fright?

Jump—jump—jump—

Jump all night;

Won't our mothers

Be in a fright?

Jump—jump—jump—Over the sea;What wonderful wondersWe shall see.

Jump—jump—jump—

Over the sea;

What wonderful wonders

We shall see.

Jump—jump—jump—And leave behindEverything evilThat we may find.Jump—jump—jump—Jump far away;And all come homeSome other day.

Jump—jump—jump—And leave behindEverything evilThat we may find.

Jump—jump—jump—

And leave behind

Everything evil

That we may find.

Jump—jump—jump—Jump far away;And all come homeSome other day.

Jump—jump—jump—

Jump far away;

And all come home

Some other day.

[52]

Ring-a-ring of little boys.Ring-a-ring of girls;All around—all around,Twists and twirls.

Ring-a-ring of little boys.

Ring-a-ring of girls;

All around—all around,

Twists and twirls.

You are merry children;"Yes, we are."Where do you come from?"Not very far.

You are merry children;

"Yes, we are."

Where do you come from?

"Not very far.

"We live in the mountain,We live in the tree;And I live in the river-bed,And you won't catch me!"

"We live in the mountain,

We live in the tree;

And I live in the river-bed,

And you won't catch me!"

[53]

If I could see a little fish—That is what I just now wish!I want to see his great round eyesAlways open in surprise.I wish a water rat would glideSlowly to the other side;Or a dancing spider sitOn the yellow flags a bit.

If I could see a little fish—That is what I just now wish!I want to see his great round eyesAlways open in surprise.

If I could see a little fish—

That is what I just now wish!

I want to see his great round eyes

Always open in surprise.

I wish a water rat would glideSlowly to the other side;Or a dancing spider sitOn the yellow flags a bit.

I wish a water rat would glide

Slowly to the other side;

Or a dancing spider sit

On the yellow flags a bit.

I think I'll get some stones to throw,And watch the pretty circles show.Or shall we sail a flower-boat,And watch it slowly—slowly float?That's nice—because you never knowHow far away it means to go;And when to-morrow comes, you see,It may be in the great wide sea.

I think I'll get some stones to throw,And watch the pretty circles show.Or shall we sail a flower-boat,And watch it slowly—slowly float?

I think I'll get some stones to throw,

And watch the pretty circles show.

Or shall we sail a flower-boat,

And watch it slowly—slowly float?

That's nice—because you never knowHow far away it means to go;And when to-morrow comes, you see,It may be in the great wide sea.

That's nice—because you never know

How far away it means to go;

And when to-morrow comes, you see,

It may be in the great wide sea.

[54]

One—two, is one to you:One—two—three, is one to me.Throw it fast or not at all,And mind you do not let it fall.

One—two, is one to you:

One—two—three, is one to me.

Throw it fast or not at all,

And mind you do not let it fall.

[55]

Fairy Blue EyesAnd Fairy Brown,And dear little Golden Curls,Look down.I say "Good-bye"—"Good-bye" with no pain—Till some happy dayWe meet again!

Fairy Blue Eyes

And Fairy Brown,

And dear little Golden Curls,

Look down.

I say "Good-bye"—

"Good-bye" with no pain—

Till some happy day

We meet again!

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