f.ROCR-H-B'^EBOOR LORi) ■ - Class ^IS^^iB- Book Copyright }^°.. COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. The Rock-a-bye Book The Rock-a-bye Book And a Bag of Dreams CHILDREN'S LTRICS BT WILLUM SINCLAIR LORD New Tork Chicago Toronto Fleming H, Revel I Company London and Edinburgh 'for-. Copyright, 1905, by FLEMING H. REVELL COMPANY ^JSHARY of JCNGfitSS J wo Oopies rtwoivov AUG 22 iy05 COPY B. New York: 158 Fifth Avenue Chicago: 80 Wabash Avenue Toronto: 27 Richmond Street, W. London: 21 Paternoster Square •Etiinburgh : 100 Princes Street CONTENTS A Little Child . 1 In Dreamland 2 Spanish Lullaby . • 3 Swinging to Dreamland . 4 Mother, Moon, and Stars . 5 Heigh-Ho ! My Laddie, O ! 6 The Sand-Man . 7 Rhyme of the Coverlet 3 TicK-TocK Lullaby 9 Swinging Song II The Wind's Song to a Babe 13 The Wind's Song to a Child 14 The Wind's Song to a Youth 16 Little Two- Years-Old 17 Three .... 19 A Four-Year-Old 21 Dream and Snowflake 23 The Song of the Clock 24 Sleep ...... 25 Little Mother-Two-Times . 26 V Contents The Naughty Boy 28 When It Rains . 29 Rowland's View . . 31 Waiting for Snow • 32 The Box of Sand 33 Christmas is Coming 35 Stumble Joe .... 37 Nautical Ned 39 My Rival .... 41 Grandmother's Sweetheart 43 Mother Goose .... 45 Suppose .... 47 The Penny .... 49 Thanksgiving 51 Jingle and Jangle 53 VI INDEX TO FIRST LINES A four-year-old's a baby A hammock gently swinging . A little child — so all have been Christmas is coming ! Oh, my ! Oh, my Come, little girl, put by your things Dear little boy, my little boy . Grandmother's sweetheart, here is a line Heigh-ho ! my laddie, O ! Her heart was all mine until he came along Hurrah for the lad ... Hush-a-by, baby, close thine eyes . I dipped my wing in the green-gray sea ** If I have a penny, pray, what do I do with it?" I fill the sails of wonderful boats I sing of a toddling mariner chap Jingle and jangle are two little bells . Just back of the house, right under a tree Little Mother-Two-Times, here's a song for you. Little Two- Years-Old, my son vii 21 I I I 35 7 23 43 6 41 H 2 13 49 16 39 53 33 26 17 Index to First Lines Look out, little boy ! Wherever you go Once I was naughty — ran away One ! Two ! Three ! Pretty, my Pedro, a bird of the sea . Rockaby, rockaby Sleep is the mystic river no mortal eye hath seen, 25 Suppose you were reading some wonderful tome, 47 Swing, baby, swing to Dreamland ... 4 The moon is bending o'er the sea . . .5 There's a book we all know and can quote by the page 45 There's a little tired shoe and a little mussed frock ....... 9 " Tick-tock ! tick-tock ! " . . . .24 " To-morrow will be snow, mamma " . • 3^ Up-stairs in his trundle bed sleeps a child . -51 When I see other children swing . . -31 When it rains it seems as though . . .29 Vlll A A LITTLE CHILD LITTLE child— so all have been, So all must be, who enter in The home below, the home on high. The glory of the earth and sky Such innocence alone can win. So Christ was born, the least in sin, And brought into this fret and din With power alone to feebly cry — A little child. Thus does the life of each begin Making the world to Heaven akin. Though age shall come and dim the eye, Though fortune favour or defy ; He's but a traveller at our inn — A little child. *^6 T^he Rock-a-bye Book IN DREAMLAND HUSH-ArBY, baby, close thine eyes, Mother will sing sweet lullabies ; Softly the cradle will be rocked Till pretty eyelids sleep as locked, And you are away in Dreamland, In Dreamland. Hush-a-by, little one, daylight dies While I am singing lullabies. Where does it vanish, baby dear ? Into that land so far, so near, The land of sleep, called Dreamland, Called Dreamland. Hush-a-by, babe. What dims mine eyes While I am singing lullabies ? What if the darkness knew no day ! What if my darling stayed alway. To evermore dwell in Dreamland, In Dreamland I Spanish Lullaby SPANISH LULLABY (A. D. 1493) PRETTY, my Pedro, a bird of the sea Long ago brought a sweet message to me The waters are ever repeating : "Sweetheart," they're saying, *'a beautiful land Westward is waiting a queen to command ; From thither your lover sends greeting I " Pretty, my Pedro, your father unfurled Sail with Columbus to find a new world Afar where the sunset is glowing. Then I was fearful the future to scan ; Now I am hopeful with you, little man. And visions of promise are growing. Pretty, my Pedro, your sails, too, are set : Sleep, the Good Master, will guide you, my pet. To realms of beautiful splendour. Sure as your waking his coming w^ill be. Father to you, sweet, and husband to me, And lover so true and so tender. 3 The Rock-a-bye Book SWINGING TO DREAMLAND S WING, baby, swing to Dreamland ; There, sweet, in slumber go ; My song will blend in seemland With songs the angels know ; Thy hammock will be golden And like the crescent moon, And in its hollow holden Thou wilt be sailing soon. Go swinging, swaying, swinging, High up among the stars ; At mother's wish upspringing Shall sleep let down the bars ; Although thy hammock golden Is like the crescent moon, Thou wilt, in my arms holden. Wake bright and laughing soon. Mother, Moon, and Stars MOTHER, MOON, AND STARS T HE moon is bending o'er the sea, As I, my babe, bend over thee ; She rocks it gently to and fro, As 1 now rock you — so, and so ; The wind, her breath, sings softly, " Dear, Sleep sweetly, now, for I am near." The stars look down upon the lea. As I, my babe, look down on thee ; The earth's at rest ; they vigils keep. As I watch o'er thy peaceful sleep, And through the silence I can hear, " Sleep sweetly now, for we are near." The Rock-a-hye Book HEIGH-HO! MY LADDIE, O! HEIGH-HO ! my laddie, O ! 'Tis bedtime now for dearie ; By-lo ! away we go To rest the limbs so weary. At last my boy grows tired of play That fills with joy the livelong day, And welcomes night when shadows gray From the underworld come stealing. Heigh-ho ! my laddie, O ! The stars a watch are keeping ; By-lo ! they're shining so To guard my boy while sleeping. And soon, relit, the world all new, With skies to match your eyes of blue, Another day will dawn for you. Every hour new joys revealing. The Sand-Man C THE SAND-MAN OME, little girl, put b}'^ your things, The sand-man comes this way, He'll soon pass by And you and I Will feel the spell he brings And say : Sleep till break of day. Dolly is sleepy : watch her head : The sand-man's on the way. She cannot sigh Nor close her eye, She gives a nod instead To say : Sleep till break of day. Ah, there he goes ! I caught him then As he came down this way. By yawn and sigh And sleepy eye I'd know his face again And say : Sleep till break of day. 7 / The Rock-a-bye Book RHYME OF THE COVERLET R OCKABY, rockaby, Winter's in town — Cover the baby up warm. Under a drift of white wool soft as down What will he know of the storm? Rockaby, rockaby, Springtime is near. "When baby goeth to sleep Under this blossomy coverlet, dear, Let not a chill wind creep. Rockaby, rockaby, Summer unbars — Cover the baby aright. Under a canopy sprinkled with stars What will he know of the night ? Rockaby, rockaby, Autumn is bold — Cover him up like a king : Robes of purple and cloth of gold ; Tribute and service bring. 8 Tick-Tock Lullaby TICK-TOCK LULLABY THEEE'S a little tired shoe and a little mussed frock, Tick-tock, tick-tock, tick-tock ; And there on the floor lies a little limp sock, Tick-tock, tick-tock, tick-tock ; They're glad, I am sure, after going all day, To rest from the labour and pleasure of play, Tick-tock, tick-tock, tick-tock. How quietly sleep comes — count the clock ! Tick-tock, tick-tock, tick-tock ; Comes in at the door with never a knock, Tick-tock, tick-tock, tick-tock. With no one to greet him, welcomest guest ! He enters and giveth his dear ones rest, Tick-tock, tick-tock, tick-tock. The Kock-a-bye Book Perhaps he is near us while we rock, Tick-tock, tick-tock, tick-tock, And soon will disclose his wonderful stock, Tick-tock, tick-tock, tick-tock. In exchange for thy store of weariness, His bag of dreams he will leave, I guess, Tick-tock, tick-tock, tick-tock. Swinging Song A SWINGING SONG HAMMOCK gently swinging, A mother bends above ; She to her babe is singing With heart all full of love. The little maiden swaying Beneath the greenwood tree Has set her heart to saying, " Love me as I love thee." So swaying, swinging slowly. Her loved one to and fro, Her heart Tvith rapture holy Out to her babe doth go ; And while her thoughts are straying Among the days to be, Her heart is ever saying, " Love me as I love thee." The Rock-a-bye Book Another hammock swinging, A lover bends above, He to his sweetheart singing With heart all full of love ; The lovely maiden swaying Beneath the greenwood tree Has set his heart to saying, " Love me as I love thee." So swaying, swinging slowly His loved one to and fro. His heart with rapture holy Out to his love doth go ; And while his thoughts are straying Among the days to be, His heart is ever saying, " Love me as I love thee." 12 The Wind's Song to a Babe THE WIND'S SONG TO A BABE I dipped my wing in the green-gray sea, The drops I scatter are pearls to thee ; And each white pearl is dream on dream, For each is a drop of the slumber stream. And over and over I've kissed the clover, And kissed the dew ; a world-wide rover, From mountain and valley all sweets I bring To bless thy dreams while slumbering. Then sleep in the Tree-Top, baby mine ; Close those big brown eyes of thine. The clover bloom and the dream-pearl's spell I sing, my love, and all is well. 13 T^he Rock-a-bye Book THE WIND'S SONG TO A CHILD H URRAH for the lad In breeches clad, And a blouse like a sailor-man ! The boy for nie Is such as he, — I will give him a coat of tan ! How the ribbons flap On his sailor's cap As if they would blow away ! His curly head Looks well in bed, I will give him a nap each day. He's never afraid Of man or maid, — In that he is just like me. The water moans When he throws in stones, — We are one when he smites the sea. 14 The Wind's Song to a Child So hurrah for the lad In breeches clad, And a blouse like a sailor true I He's brave, he's free, He resembles me — I love him enough for two. The Rock-a-bye Book THE WIND'S SONG TO A YOUTH I FILL the sails of wonderful boats, I hurry them on, I hurry them on , And many a beautiful banner floats As I go wandering hither and yon ; The birds of paradise pour their throats, And fill the air with ravishing notes. Till all of the present is gone. The gilded clouds away in the west I bear along, I bear along ; The silver moon I rock to rest And send the moonlight with my song ; And all of the heart's desires the best I waft to thee in the Tree-Top nest For all to youth belong. O youth, sweet youth, with wondering eyes, I bid you see, I bid you see ; For all of the future is your prize, And all good things may come to thee ; The sunset cloud, the boat that flies. The songs of the birds of paradise. All, all are yours to be. i6 Little Two-Tears-Old LITTLE TWO-YEARS-OLD L ITTLE Two- Years-Old, my son, Life for you has just begun ; Dew is fresh upon the grass All along the way you pass ; Every blade your dear feet press Gives a gentle, cool caress. Violets and buttercups Chronicle your downs and ups. Blue and gold, and gold and blue, Seemeth all the world to you. Little Two- Years-Old, too soon You will know the heat of noon. Dust along your path will lie. And the grass be sere and dry. Every blade will give a thrust. Cry and urge, " You must ! You must ! " Kose of flame with cruel thorn Best will tell the sweet pain borne. Eed and brown, and brown and red, Seems the world the sun overhead. 17 The Rock-a-bye Book Little Two- Years-Old, the light Softens when you say " good-night." Sweet the journey will be when You are almost home again. Every footstep brings you near Faces, voices, long held dear. Gentian blue and goldenrod Lead you onward up to God. Blue and gold, and gold and blue So the world will be to you. i8 Three THREE ONE! Two! Three! Now where can the baby be ? Only the briefest while ago We went into ecstasies over his " crow." Then he was creeping about the floor, And into our hearts he went all four ! If then we had lost him, what had we done In the wonderful year of One ! One ! Two ! Three ! What a kidnapper Time can be ! He's stolen my little child away That spoke my name but yesterday. " Take all that I have of silver and gold. And give me again little Two- Years- Old "— Such reward I had offered to you, and to you, In the beautiful year of Two. 19 The Rock-a-bye Book One! Two! Three! 'Tis God's sweet mystery 1 Time's not a thief, but a bringer of joy, And has doubled my blessings in this dear boy. Oh, give me to love him, and do not refuse. Kind Fortune, what's needed for stock- ings and shoes ! To love him in wisdom, that he may love me Long years that may follow year Three ! t 20 A Four-Tear-Old A FOUR-YEAR-OLD AFOUR-YEAE-OLD'S a kaby Whatever you do or say. You may rig him out in a round- about And teach him the time of day ; As his muscles grow he will bluster and blow Till you think him an army of men ; Until short of breath you may " love him to death," And declare, " he's his father again," But, whether you will, he's a baby still. Whatever you do or say. A four-y ear-old's a baby. Whatever you do or say. He may run and shout and want to play out In the yard the livelong day ; He may put on his hat and his coat and all that 21 ^he Rock-a-bye Book And button his shoes with a hook ; He may swagger and strut and pretend to be, but, No matter how big he may look, He's a baby still, whether you will. Whatever you do or say. A four-year-old's a baby. Whatever you do or say. You may call him a man, as a mother can, Seventy times a day ; If he cries when he's hurt, all covered with dirt You'll gather him up in your arms, Nor kisses refuse to cover the bruise And quiet his tearful alarms. For, whether you will, he's a baby still. Whatever you do or say. Dream and Snowjiake DREAM AND SNOWFLAKE D EAR little boy, my little boy, So sleepy, so sleepy. See the soft descending snow Glancing, dancing to and fro Just to pleasure thee, I know. Dear little boy, my little boy. So sleepy, so sleepy. Dear little boy, my little boy, So sleepy, so sleepy. Close thine eyes. Dost thou not see Visions fair as fair can be ? They are dreams come down to thee, Dear little boy, my little boy. So sleepy, so sleepy. Dear little boy, my little boy, So sleepy, so sleepy. Dreams and snowflakes downward fly ; Soon, too soon, they bid good-b3^e. Kiss the earth and mount the sky. Dear little boy, my little boy. So sleepy, so sleepy. 23 T^he Rock-a-bye Book THE SONG OF THE CLOCK "T I "MCK-TOCK! tick-tock!" I Sayeth the clock. JL " And time is a circle and knoweth no end : With hands ever busy, with face ever bright, I never shall fail thee by day or by night. An arm to uphold thee, an arm to defend. You ever shall find me your friend, your friend." "Tick-tock! tick-tock!" Sayeth the clock. " The minutes I measure are not of a size : The glad ones shall linger, the sad ones shall haste. But never a moment of all shall I waste ; And ever and ever, whatever the skies. Grows shorter the journey to paradise." 24 Sleep SLEEP SLEEP is a mystic river no mortal eye hath seen, With poppy flowers are nodding the banks it flows between ; It finds its source in silence where stars to- gether sing, And down to weary mortals the message hastes to bring. The boats upon its bosom, that float, an idle throng. Are dreams that to the rainbow or to the moon belong; They're drifting towards the harbour outside the port of day Where morning light will scatter each vision barque away. $ 25 The Rock-a-bye Book LITTLE MOTHER-TWO-TIMES LITTLE Mother-Two-Times, here's a soDg for you, Bravest little woman, sister mine ! There's a verse for Wilson, one for Katha- rine, too, (My I I think a daughter's pretty fine !) Here I'm sitting thinking of the days gone by When you wore a pinafore and " braids " ; How I used to tease you, how you used to cry — Not a farthing then cared I for maids. Little Mother-Two-Times, what a breathless race Time is running! running! — where are we? Such a little while ago something in your face Changed, and lo ! no longer you were free. 26 Little Mother-Two-Times Love then came and claimed you. You were glad to go. Ashen skies all suddenly were blue. Such a cup of happiness as mortals seldom know Then began to pour its gifts for you. Little Mother-Two-Times, the best, most precious gift Of God, is that of motherhood divine ; Clouds of pain and suffering it has the pow'r to lift. And oh ! the glory of it ! see it shine ! Oh, the little children ! their small impotent hands, Their helplessness, their need of tender love! Yet they hold us stronger than the strength of iron bands And make the home on earth like that above. 27 The Rock-a-bye Book THE NAUGHTY BOY O NCE I was naughty — ran away To see what I could see ; It was a horrid poky day — My mother punished me. She didn't whip me — wisht she had, So hard she left a mark ! She shut me up for being bad. The room was big and dark. It was so dark I thought I saw Strange creatures' awful eyes, And I was scared and couldn't draw My breath for screams and cries. I wisht something would gobble me. And so I didn't stir ; Then I'd be gone, and mother, she — Guess that would punish her ! ^ 28 When it Rains WHEN IT RAINS WHEN it rains it seems as though The tiresome day would never go. Indoor games and indoor toys Are more for girls 'n they are for boys. Not much fun for me to play In the house the livelong day, Building blocks and 'tending store — When it rains it's such a bore ! When it rains, my mother says, The birds enjoy it anyways. Grass and trees and all such things As have their roots, or have their wings, Suffer for the lack of rain ; Boys, they, too, can suffer pain ! I'd enjoy it same as they If outdoors she'd let me play. 29 The Rock-a-bye Book When it rains she's 'fraid 111 get Shoes and stockings soaking wet. Like to take them off and go Paddling round, but she says, No. See the postman ! He don't care. Walks in water everywhere ! Guess I'll play it's raining here. Want a letter, mother, dear ? 30 Rowlafid's View ROWLAND'S VIEW W HEN" I see other children swing, No matter how they try, They never seem, by leagues and leagues, To swing so high as I. When I go swinging, 'tis so strange ! A little push will do, And I go sailing in the sky — My feet stick through the blue. 31 T^he Kock-a-bye Book WAITING FOR SNOW TO-MOKROW will it snow, mamma ? To-morrow w411 it snow ? '* " It comes from God, my eager child ; Praise Him, we may not know." " And did it snow last night, mamma ? And did it sqow last night?" " Whatever He sends, my precious one, Praise Him with all thy might." " To-morrow w^ll it snow, mamma ? To-morrow will it snow ? " " Full soon will winter come, mine own. And spring we may not know." " And did it snow^ last night, mamma ? And did it snow last night ? " ** And if it did, my darling child, 'T would make thy pathway white." The Box of Sand J THE BOX OF SAND UST back of the house, right under a tree, Is a box that is full of silver sand — Of sand that was washed by a saltless sea Till it rivals the white of a woman's hand ; And oat of that box of sand arise Such wonderful sights as never before Were spoken of lips or seen of eyes, And all within sight of our back door. There's an old pie-tin, with numberless holes, A shovel, a rake and an old tin can, A block of wood, and oh, dear souls ! In the midst of these is a working man ; He is busily making pies and cakes And digging and sifting and playing store, The which a hole in his stomach makes, Which he brings to fill at our back door. 33 The Rock-a-hye Book And all of the little folk living near Have heard of this wonderful box of sand, So full of treasures their hearts hold dear ; And in come trooping the busy band, Till the sands have forgotten the cruel sea And the waves that lashed the sounding shore, For the flood of laughter, the bubbling glee, That ripple and break by our back door. 34 Christmas is Coming CHRISTMAS IS COMING C^HKISTMAS is coming! Oh, my! Oh, my! A Look out, little man, don't cry ! Don't cry ! For Santa Glaus loveth a brave little boy, And surely remembers all such with a toy Or a game or a book Or a long candy crook — Never mind if j^our tumble did hurt, don't cry! Christmas is coming, and my little lad Will forget every troublesome bump he has had! It bringeth a balm for each bruise, and the smart Of the saddest of griefs for the time will depart. The joy of the bells In each bosom swells. For the goodness of giving makes every heart glad. 35 The Rock-a-bye Book Yes, Christmas is coming ! That wonderful day The children delight in is not far away. Then candies and cookies and wagons and sleds, And jumping- jacks, whistles, and dolls' lit- tle beds Are scattered abroad, And the children applaud Each treasure from Santa Claus' wonderful sleigh. 36 Stumble Toe STUMBLE TOE OOK out, little boy ! Wherever you go Remember the story of Stumble Toe. L There once was a dear little child (aA, me !) . he had could be. And he had ten toes that were straight as And every one was pink and white Where mother had kissed it morning and night ; And each little toe had a name {oJi^ woe !) And one had the name of Stumble Toe. Now one little toe was called Hippity Hop, And he'd run till the others would beg him to stop ; Another toe answered to Creepity Creep, And he never was still except when asleep ; And so on was christened each one in the row Till you came to the awkward Stumble Toe. 37 T^he Rock-a-hye Book Oh, he was as stubborn as stubborn could be I And he sulked till a trial and cross was he. A whipping at morning, a spanking at night. Were never enough to keep Stumble Toe right ; Till at last came disaster and tearful woe To crown the behaviour of Stumble Toe. The best of good children (oA, hut ifs sad /) Are sometimes quite naughty, although not real bad ; Their feet get so heavy they drag on the floor (And when they act that way they need one spank more — 'Tis when they are naughty, sometimes, don't you know) And they're taken advantage of by Stumble Toe. Just how it was done I could never recall ; I distinctly remember a terrible fall. And a bump on the forehead, a bruise on the arm. And my heart standing still in fearful alarm. So look out, my darling ; wherever you go Remember the story of Stumble Toe. 38 Nautical Ned NAUTICAL NED I SING of a toddling mariner chap, With wide flowing trousers and sailor's cap; His little warm jacket, with buttons and braid, Bespeaks the bold rover to run a blockade. No longer miscall him — when all has been said, His name is not Edward, but Nautical Ned ; A wee little, free little fellow is he, And yet he's a regular man of the sea. I question if ever he walked a ship's deck, Or felt the soft spray on his cheek or his neck; And surely those blue eyes never have scanned The far-off horizon for long-looked-for land. What odds if never the sea he has crossed. In a tub of a boat been rudely tossed ? He tosses the sea in a tub of his own, While the waves dash high and the women make moan ! 39 The Rock-a-bye Book The most wonderful cruiser ever afloat Is the world — she is truly a marvellous boat ! And sailing out on the sea of Time, So tempest-tossed, to another clime. It is sweet to think that such sailors are As Nautical Ned, the jolly young tar ! With the great, good Captain, and such as these, Who cares for the Avind-swept stormy seas ? 40 My Rival MY RIVAL HER heart was all mine until he came along, My rival, the hero of this little song. With so much against him I marvel that he For even a moment can dispossess me. He is not so tall by some inches (my height For a number of years has been her de- light). Has never the sign of a beard on his chin And the hair on his head is decidedly thin ; Yet, the very first time she sslw him, she said, " The darling, I love him ! " and tears for joy shed. His eyes they are blue, and blue eyes in a man She detests as only a good woman can ; Regarding his teeth, about them the less said The better — he has not a tooth in his head ! 41 The Rock-a-bye Book He not only chews gum but chews gums, which is w^orse, — A sin she abhors as a positive curse. My rival ? I smiled — a ridiculous thought ! And into her presence the strange prince brought, And the very first moment she saw him she said, "The darling, I love him! " and tears for joy shed. My rival ! Believe me, I love him full well Or defects in his make-up I never would tell. The place he has taken I want him to keep. Close, close to her heart ! — Hear her sing him to sleep I And yet, notwithstanding, I want you to know He's a rival unrivalled. Go search high and low (Don't look in your cradle for any such joy) And find if you can such a sweet baby boy. ISTo wonder the moment she saw him she said, " The darling, I love him ! " and tears for joy shed. 42 Grandmother's Sweetheart GRANDMOTHER'S SWEET- HEART GEANDMOTHER'S sweetheart, here is a line She sendeth thee for a valentine. Loving thee more than her heart can tell (I wonder if you love her so well ?) With every letter she sends a kiss. Her eyes grow dim while she's writing this, For, Sweetheart Fanny, you must know It raaketh the heart ache loving so. Grandmother's sweetheart liveth afar Down by the bay where the big ships are, And never a ship does grandmother see But beareth her message of love to thee. The whole great wonderful fleet of ships That lie at rest in their quiet slips. With their caverns and caves of space all told The love that she bears thee could not hold. 43 l^he Rock-a-hye Book So, Sweetheart Fanny, a little while Grandmother's love on thee will smile ; Then, drifting out on an unknown sea, In the great beyond she will wait for thee. And others will come and praise your eyes, And tell their love with a million sighs ; But never a one of them all will know A deeper love than her heart can show. 44 Mother Goose MOTHER GOOSE THERE'S a book we all know and can quote by the page, No other book stands in its place ; In childhood, in manhood, in youth, and in age. Its jingling wisdom we trace. 'Tis a book that we love (you'll do well to confess) No matter what others we use. And its title is— what? Now couldn't you guess ? Of course ! It is old Mother Goose. The first time you read it you skipped all the words. The pictures alone took your eye ; Those wonderful pictures of beasts and of birds. Of creatures that crawl, walk, or fly ; You cared not a bit for the wisdom and wit, Nor detected the rhyming was loose — On the floor by the hour you would silently sit Enchanted by dear Mother Goose. 45 The Rock-a-bye Book There was Old King Cole, the merry old soul, And Miss Muffet with curds and whey ; The men who went sailing the sea in a bowl, And the lady-bug idling away ; There was Little Boy Blue, and Jack Horner too, And Miss Flinders who suffered abuse ; And the birds in the pie, and Cry, Baby, Cry- They're still living in good Mother Goose. Mother Goose does not rank very high in the list Of best books — oh, give her a prop ! Come help me to maintain her claims — to insist That she's given a place near the top. There may be some better (how many are worse !) Her maligners will cry for a truce If we take up her standard and stoutly re- hearse The glories of good Mother Goose. 46 Suppose SUPPOSE SUPPOSE you were reading some won- derful tome That led you way back in the past, Till with feasting and fighting in Athens or Rome You'd forget in what age you were cast ; Suppose while thus " busy " you heard a wee voice And felt a small hand on your knee, Would the world of the present or past be your choice At the sound of that little "take me"? 6>A, come now ! Be honest ! What would you do f You'd " take " Tiny Toddler and hug A^m to you. Suppose you had been in the city all day, In the trouble and turmoil of trade, Till your brain was so weary you felt the dismay Of an overtaxed surface-car jade ; 47 The Rock-a-bye Book Suppose you were smoking and taking your ease, And in should come little Boy Blue To " play horsey " with papa, and " wouldn't he please To kick up " and such antics go through ? Oh^ come now ! Be honest ! What would you do f You^d jprance and '•'play horsey " with little Boy Blue ! Suppose you were thinking of serious things, Of questions mortality asks, Till life, with the problems perplexing it brings, Seemed a round of impossible tasks ; Suppose while thus puzzled, a frown on your brow And your face looking solemn and grim. Little laddie insists you shall be a " bow- wow " Or sing " Hey, diddle, diddle ! " to him ! Oh^ come now ! Be honest ! What would you do f You'd " harh " or recite Mother Goose, wouldnH you ? 48 The Penny THE PENNY " T F I have a penny, pray, what do I do I with it?'' JL Forthwith you'd be off to buy some- thing for you with it ! Now, isn't it funny how each penny goes, And stranger than fiction that nobody knows What becomes of the penny ! The penny's not lost ; it's still going about. And its nimbleness keeps it from growing too stout ; It scarcely finds time to get warm in a pocket Before busy hands from its comfort unlock it, And then goes the penny. Now over the counter, exchanged for a cake ; Now into a box for the poor heathen's sake ; Now dropped on the curb in exchange for a paper A penny oft causes a dime's worth of " ca- per" — Not a " cent," but a "penny." 49 T^he Kock-a-bye Book There's money and money, but never a " cent " Except by a cold-blooded miser was spent. A "penny" they call it who spend it for fun — A penny ! a penny ! Now run for it ! run ! — Where is the penny ? 50 Thanksgiving THANKSGIVING UP-STAIKS in his trundle bed sleeps a child, Grown weary with hours of pleas- ure; All day has his face like a sunbeam smiled Till he seemed a golden treasure ; And I have been watching his winsome ways And listening to his prattle, While the joy I have felt would crown the days Of a soldier loving battle. In his bed he lies sleeping ; the tireless feet That busily nowhere travel. And the hands, with a touch so passing sweet They knotty brows unravel, Are at rest; and the voice, like a silvery bell. Or the babble of brooks aflowing, For the time is still, and all is well, With thanksgiving heavenward going. 51 T^he Rock-a-bye Book Thank God for the little one given to me ; For the child I would love so wisely His hands should ever cleanly be, His feet ever tread precisely, And his voice be raised mankind to call To God's and nature's glory. Away from the darkness, dimming all, To the light of ancient story. 52 y ingle and J angle JINGLE AND JANGLE JINGLE and Jangle are two little bells That jingle and jangle all day ; And Jingle rings sweet, with an accent that tells Of lightsomeness, promise, and May ; Sunshine and sugar and honey and bees, Rainbows and butterflies' wings, Bird-songs and brook-songs and wide-spread- ing trees — Oijoy little Jingle-bell sings ! Jingle and Jangle are two little bells That jingle and jangle all day ; And Jangle rings harsh, with an accent that tells Of darkness, foreboding, dismay ; Storm-cloud and vinegar, wormwood and gall, Toads' tongues and poisonous things. Owlets and ravens, and dreams that ap- pall — Of woe little Jangle-bell rings ! 53 The Rock-a-bye Book Yes, Jingle and Jangle are two little bells That jingle and jangle all day ; And the one that you listen to strangely compels Behaviour that's sure to betray. So listen to Jingle and be a good boy — To Jangle, oh, never give ear, And your days will be merry and bubble with joy, While sadness will never come near. t 54 Lore; AUG 22 ^^■ Deacidified using the Bookkeeper process. Neutralizing agent: Magnesium Oxide Treatment Date: Sept. 2009 PreservationTechnologies A WORLD LEADER IN COLLECTIONS PRESERVATION iii Thr.mcnn Park Drive