That night, while lengthening shadows crept, I saw the white-winged angels come

With singing to our lowly home
And kiss my darling as he slept.

They must have heard his little prayer,
For in the morn, with rapturous face,
He toddled to the chimney-place,
And found this little treasure there.

They came again one Christmas-tide,-
That angel host, so fair and white!
And singing all that glorious night,
They lured my darling from my side.

A little sock, a little toy,

A little lock of golden hair,

The Christmas music on the air,

A watching for my baby boy!

But if again that angel train

And golden-head come back for me,

To bear me to Eternity,

My watching will not be in vain.

So, So, Rock-a-by So!

29

SO, SO, ROCK-A-BY SO!

So, so, rock-a-by so!

Off to the garden where dreamikins grow;
And here is a kiss on your winky blink eyes,
And here is a kiss on your dimpledown cheek,
And here is a kiss for the treasure that lies
In the beautiful garden way up in the skies
Which you seek.

Now mind these three kisses wherever you go-
So, so, rock-a-by so!

There's one little fumfay who lives there, I know, For he dances all night where the dreamikins

grow;

I send him this kiss on your droopydrop eyes,

I send him this kiss on your rosyred cheek. And here is a kiss for the dream that shall rise

When the fumfay shall dance in those far-away skies

Which you seek.

Be sure that you pay those three kisses you owe— So, so, rock-a-by so!

And, by-low, as you rock-a-by go,

Don't forget mother who loveth you so!
And here is her kiss on your weepydeep eyes,

And here is her kiss on your peachy pink cheek, And here is her kiss for the dreamland that lies Like a babe on the breast of those far-away skies Which you seek

The blinkywink garden where dreamikins growSo, so, rock-a-by so!

TO A USURPER

AHA! a traitor in the camp,
A rebel strangely bold,—

A lisping, laughing, toddling scamp,
Not more than four years old!

To think that I, who 've ruled alone
So proudly in the past,
Should be ejected from my throne
By my own son at last!

He trots his treason to and fro,

As only babies can,

And says he'll be his mamma's beau

When he's a "gweat, big man"!

To a Usurper

You stingy boy! you 've always had

A share in mamma's heart;

Would you begrudge your poor old dad
The tiniest little part?

That mamma, I regret to see,

Inclines to take your part,—

As if a dual monarchy

Should rule her gentle heart!

But when the years of youth have sped,
The bearded man, I trow,

Will quite forget he ever said

He'd be his mamma's beau.

Renounce your treason, little son,
Leave mamma's heart to me;
For there will come another one
To claim your loyalty.

And when that other comes to you,
God grant her love may shine
Through all your life, as fair and true
As mamma's does through mine!

31

PITTYPAT AND TIPPYTOE

ALL day long they come and go—
Pittypat and Tippytoe;

Footprints up and down the hall,

Playthings scattered on the floor, Finger-marks along the wall,

Tell-tale smudges on the door,By these presents you shall know Pittypat and Tippytoe.

How they riot at their play!
And a dozen times a day.

In they troop, demanding bread-
Only buttered bread will do,
And that butter must be spread
Inches thick with sugar too!

And I never can say "No,

Pittypat and Tippytoe!"

Sometimes there are griefs to soothe, Sometimes ruffled brows to smooth; For (I much regret to say)

Tippytoe and Pittypat

Sometimes interrupt their play

With an internecine spat ;