The Home Book of Verse Volume I Part 23

Dump, dump, awa' she gangs Back the road she cam', I hear her at the ither door, Speirin' after Tam; He's a crabbit, greetin' thing-- The warst in a' the toon, Little like my ain wee wean-- Losh, he's sleepin' soun'!

Mithers hae an awfu' wark Wi' their bairns at nicht, Chappin' on the chair wi' tangs, To gie the rogues a fricht; Aulder bairns are fleyed wi' less, Weel eneuch we ken, Bigger bogies, bigger Jennies, Frichten muckle men.

Alexander Anderson [1845-1909]

CUDDLE DOON

The bairnies cuddle doon at nicht Wi' muckie faucht an' din, "O, try an' sleep, ye waukrife rogues, Your father's comin' in."

They never heed a word I speak; I try to gie a froon, But aye I hap them up, an' cry, "O bairnies, cuddle doon."

Wee Jamie wi' the curly heid-- He aye sleeps next the wa'-- Bangs up an' cries, "I want a piece;"

The rascal starts them a'.

I rin an' fetch them pieces, drinks, They stop awee the soun'; Then draw the blankets up an' cry, "Noo, weanies, cuddle doon."

But ere five minutes gang, wee Rab Cries oot, frae 'neath the claes, "Mither, mak' Tam gie ower at once-- He's kittlin' wi' his taes."

The mischief's in that Tam for tricks, He'd bother half the toon; But aye I hap them up an' cry, "O bairnies, cuddle doon."

At length they hear their father's fit, An', as he steeks the door, They turn their faces to the wa', While Tam pretends to snore.

"Hae a' the weans been gude?" he asks, As he pits aff his shoon; "The bairnies, John, are in their beds, An' lang since cuddled doon."

An' just afore we bed oorsel's, We look at oor wee lambs; Tam has his airm roun' wee Rab's neck, An' Rab his airm roun' Tam's.

I lift wee Jamie up the bed, An' as I straik each croon, I whisper, till my heart fills up, "O bairnies, cuddle doon."

The bairnies cuddle doon at nicht Wi' mirth that's dear to me; But sune the big warl's cark an' care Will quaten doon their glee.

Yet, come what will to ilka ane, May He who sits aboon Aye whisper, though their pows be bauld, "O bairnies, cuddle doon."

Alexander Anderson [1845-1909]

BEDTIME

'Tis bedtime; say your hymn, and bid "Good-night; G.o.d bless Mamma, Papa, and dear ones all."

Your half-shut eyes beneath your eyelids fall, Another minute, you will shut them quite.

Yes, I will carry you, put out the light, And tuck you up, although you are so tall!

What will you give me, sleepy one, and call My wages, if I settle you all right?

I laid her golden curls upon my arm, I drew her little feet within my hand, Her rosy palms were joined in trustful bliss, Her heart next mine beat gently, soft and warm She nestled to me, and, by Love's command, Paid me my precious wages--"Baby's Kiss."

Francis Robert St. Clair Erskine [1833-1890]

THE DUTY OF CHILDREN

HAPPY THOUGHT

The world is so full of a number of things, I'm sure we should all be as happy as kings.

Robert Louis Stevenson [1850-1894]

WHOLE DUTY OF CHILDREN

A child should always say what's true And speak when he is spoken to, And behave mannerly at table; At least as far as he is able.

Robert Louis Stevenson [1850-1894]

POLITENESS

Good little boys should never say "I will," and "Give me these"; O, no! that never is the way, But "Mother, if you please."

And "If you please," to Sister Ann Good boys to say are ready; And, "Yes, sir," to a Gentleman, And, "Yes, ma'am," to a Lady.

Elizabeth Turner [?--1846]

RULES OF BEHAVIOR

Hearts, like doors, will ope with ease To very, very little keys, And don't forget that two of these Are "I thank you" and "If you please."