Childhood's Favorites and Fairy Stories Part 6

Thinks it odd, smiles away; Yet may G.o.d hear her pray!

Bed gown white, kiss Dolly; Good night!--that's Polly,

Fast asleep, as you see, Heaven keep my girl for me!

WILLIAM BRIGHTY RANDS

CRADLE HYMN

Hush, my dear, lie still and slumber; Holy angels guard thy bed; Heavenly blessings without number Gently falling on thy head.

Sleep, my babe, thy food and raiment, House and home, thy friends provide; All without thy care, or payment, All thy wants are well supplied.

How much better thou'rt attended Than the Son of G.o.d could be, When from heaven He descended, And became a child like thee!

Soft and easy is thy cradle; Coa.r.s.e and hard thy Saviour lay, When His birthplace was a stable, And His softest bed was hay.

See the kindly shepherds round him, Telling wonders from the sky!

When they sought Him, there they found Him, With his Virgin-Mother by.

See the lovely babe a-dressing; Lovely infant, how He smiled!

When He wept, the mother's blessing Soothed and hushed the holy child.

Lo, He slumbers in His manger, Where the honest oxen fed; --Peace, my darling! here's no danger!

Here's no ox a-near thy bed!

Mayst thou live to know and fear Him, Trust and love Him all thy days; Then go dwell forever near Him, See His face, and sing His praise!

I could give thee thousand kisses, Hoping what I most desire; Not a mother's fondest wishes Can to greater joys aspire.

ISAAC WATTS

I LIKE LITTLE p.u.s.s.y

I like little p.u.s.s.y, Her coat is so warm; And if I don't hurt her She'll do me no harm.

So I'll not pull her tail, Nor drive her away, But p.u.s.s.y and I Very gently will play; She shall sit by my side, And I'll give her some food; And she'll love me because I am gentle and good.

I'll pat little p.u.s.s.y, And then she will purr, And thus show her thanks For my kindness to her; I'll not pinch her ears, Nor tread on her paw, Lest I should provoke her To use her sharp claw; I never will vex her, Nor make her displeased, For p.u.s.s.y can't bear To be worried or teased.

JANE TAYLOR

THE GRAVEL PATH

Baby mustn't frown, When she tumbles down; If the wind should change--Ah me, What a face her face would be!

Rub away the dirt, Say she wasn't hurt; What a world 'twould be--O my, If all who fell began to cry!

LAURENCE ALMA TADEMA

Little Robin Redbreast sat upon a tree, Up went p.u.s.s.y-cat, and down went he; Down came p.u.s.s.y-cat, and away Robin ran; Said little Robin Redbreast, "Catch me if you can."

Little Robin Redbreast jumped upon a wall, p.u.s.s.y-cat jumped after him, and almost got a fall; Little Robin chirped and sang, and what did p.u.s.s.y say?

p.u.s.s.y-cat said naught but "Mew," and Robin flew away.

SLEEP, MY TREASURE

Sleep, sleep, my treasure, The long day's pleasure Has tired the birds, to their nests they creep; The garden still is Alight with lilies, But all the daisies are fast asleep.

Sleep, sleep, my darling, Dawn wakes the starling, The sparrow stirs when he sees day break; But all the meadow Is wrapped in shadow, And you must sleep till the daisies wake!

E. NESBIT

LULLABY OF AN INFANT CHIEF

Oh, hush thee, my babie, thy sire was a knight, Thy mother a lady, both lovely and bright; The woods and the glens from the tower which we see, They all are belonging, dear babie, to thee.

Oh, fear not the bugle, though loudly it blows, It calls but the warders that guard thy repose; Their bows would be bended, their blades would be red, Ere the step of a foeman draws near to thy bed.

Oh, hush thee, my babie, the time will soon come, When thy sleep shall be broken by trumpet and drum; Then hush thee, my darling, take rest while you may, For strife comes with manhood, and waking with day.

SIR WALTER SCOTT

THE ORPHAN'S SONG

I had a little bird, I took it from the nest; I prest it and blest it, And nurst it in my breast.

I set it on the ground, Danced round and round, And sang about it so cheerly, With "Hey, my little bird, And ho! my little bird, And oh! but I love thee dearly!"