LITTLE BOY BLUE THE little toy dog is covered with dust, And that was the time when our Little Boy Blue "Now, don't you go till I come," he said, And as he was dreaming, an angel song Oh, the years are many, the years are long, Ay, faithful to Little Boy Blue they stand, Awaiting the touch of a little hand, The smile of a little face. And they wonder, as waiting these long years through, In the dust of that little chair, What has become of our Little Boy Blue THE ROCK-A-BY LADY THE Rock-a-By Lady from Hushaby street The poppies they hang from her head to her feet, There is one little dream of a beautiful drum"Rub-a-dub!" it goeth; There is one little dream of a big sugar-plum, And dollies peep out of those wee little dreams With laughter and singing; And boats go a-floating on silvery streams, And the stars peek-a-boo with their own misty gleams, And up, up, and up, where the Mother Moon They 'll come to you sleeping; So shut the two eyes that are weary, my sweet, For the Rock-a-By Lady from Hushaby street, With poppies that hang from her head to her feet, Comes stealing; comes creeping. THE DUEL THE gingham dog and the calico cat Side by side on the table sat; 'T was half-past twelve, and (what do you think!) Nor one nor t' other had slept a wink! The old Dutch clock and the Chinese plate Appeared to know as sure as fate There was going to be a terrible spat. (I was n't there; I simply state What was told to me by the Chinese plate!) The gingham dog went "bow-wow-wow!" The air was littered, an hour or so, With bits of gingham and calico, While the old Dutch clock in the chimney place Up with its hands before its face, For it always dreaded a family row! (Now mind: I'm only telling you What the old Dutch clock declares is true!) The Chinese plate looked very blue, In the awfullest way you ever saw— And, oh! how the gingham and calico flew! (Don't fancy I exaggerate— I got my news from the Chinese plate !) Next morning, where the two had sat But the truth about the cat and pup And that is how I came to know.) |