Only a tender flower
Sent us to rear;
Only a life to love

While we are here;
Only a baby small,
Never at rest;

Small, but how dear to us,

God knoweth best.

Matthias Barr

STRANGE LANDS

Where do you come from, Mr. Jay?

"From the land of Play, from the land of Play." And where can that be, Mr. Jay?

"Far away-far away."

Where do you come from Mrs. Dove?

"From the land of Love, from the land of Love." And how do you get there, Mrs. Dove?

"Look above-look above."

Where do you come from, Baby Miss?

"From the land of Bliss, from the land of Bliss." And what is the way there, Baby Miss?

"Mother's kiss-mother's kiss."

Laurence Alma-Tadema

BABY

Where did you come from, baby dear?
Out of the everywhere into the here.

Where did you get those eyes so blue?
Out of the sky as I came through.

What makes the light in them sparkle and spin?
Some of the starry spikes left in.

Where did you get that little tear?
I found it waiting when I got here.

What makes your forehead so smooth and high? A soft hand stroked it as I went by.

What makes your cheek like a warm white rose? I saw something better than any one knows.

Whence that three-cornered smile of bliss?
Three angels gave me at once a kiss.

Where did you get this pearly ear?

God spoke, and it came out to hear.

Where did you get those arms and hands?
Love made itself into bonds and bands.

Feet, whence did you come, you darling things?
From the same box as the cherubs' wings.

How did they all just come to be you?
God thought about me, and so I grew.

But how did you come to us, you dear?
God thought about you, and so I am here.
George Macdonald

BARTHOLOMEW

Bartholomew is very sweet,
From sandy hair to rosy feet.

Bartholomew is six months old,
And dearer far than pearls or gold.

Bartholomew has deep blue eyes,

Round pieces dropped from out the skies.

Bartholomew is hugged and kissed:
He loves a flower in either fist.

Bartholomew's my saucy son:
No mother has a sweeter one!

Norman Gale

THE BREAKFAST SONG

At five o'clock he milks the cow,
The busy farmer's man.

At six o'clock he strains the milk
And pours it in the can.

At seven o'clock the milkman's horse
Must go to town-"get up!"
At eight o'clock Nurse Karen pours
The milk in Baby's cup.

At five o'clock the Baby sleeps
As sound as sound can be.
At six o'clock he laughs and shouts,
So wide awake is he.

At seven o'clock he's in his bath,
At eight o'clock he's dressed,
Just when the milk is ready, too,
So you can guess the rest.

BABY'S BREAKFAST

Baby wants his breakfast,

Oh! what shall I do?
Said the cow, "I'll give him.

Emilie Poulsson

Nice fresh milk-moo-oo!"

Said the hen, "Cut-dah cut!
I have laid an egg
For the Baby's breakfast-
Take it now, I beg!"

And the buzzing bee said,
"Here is honey sweet.
Don't you think the Baby
Would like that to eat?"

Then the baker kindly
Brought the Baby's bread.
"Breakfast is all ready,"
Baby's mother said;

"But before the Baby
Eats his dainty food,
Will he not say 'Thank you!'
To his friends so good?"

Then the bonny Baby

Laughed and laughed away. That was all the "Thank you"

He knew how to say.

Emilie Poulsson

BABY AT PLAY

Brow bender,

Eye peeper,

Nose smeller,

Mouth eater,

Chin chopper,

Knock at the door-peep in,
Lift up the latch-walk in.

Here sits the Lord Mayor,

Here sit his two men,
Here sits the cock,

And here sits the hen;
Here sit the chickens,
And here they go in,

Chippety, chippety, chippety chin.

Ring the bell!

Knock at the door!
Lift up the latch!
Walk in!

This little pig went to market;
This little pig stayed at home;

This little pig got roast beef;

This little pig got none;

[Forehead.
[Eyes.

[Right cheek.

[Left cheek.
[Tip of nose.
[Mouth.

[Chuck the chin.

This little pig cried wee, wee, all the way home.

One, two,

Buckle my shoe;

Three, four,

Shut the door;

Five, six,

Pick up sticks;

Seven, eight,

Lay them straight;

Nine, ten,

A good fat hen;

Eleven, twelve,

Who will delve?

Thirteen, fourteen,

Maids a-courting;

Fifteen, sixteen,
Maids a-kissing;
Seventeen, eighteen,
Maids a-waiting;