IN A HAMMOCK. GREEN boughs and a hammock,-a baby swinging, Oh, how sweet the Baby is, Kiss me, sweetness!" How the baby laughed when her tender sister, Keeping time with the singing, bent down and kissed her. Oh, 't was a picture of lovely completeness, Twelve years and twelve months—a charming duet! And that picture and song I shall never forget; 66 Oh, how sweet the Baby is, Oh, how sweet the Baby is, Sweet-sweet-sweet- EDITH M. THOMAS. ANDALUSIAN CRADLE-SONG. WHO is it opens her blue bright eye, Bright as the sea, and blue as the sky?— Chiquita ! Who has the smile that comes and goes Like sunshine over her mouth's red rose? Muchachita! What is the softest laughter heard, Nay, 't is thy laughter makes the rill Ah, little flower-hand on my breast, What is the sweetest sight I know? Three little white teeth in a row, THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH. MATER DOLOROSA. BECAUSE of one small low-laid head all crowned With golden hair, Forevermore all fair young brows to me A halo wear; I kiss them reverently. Alas! I know Because of dear, but close-shut holy eyes Of heaven's own blue, All little eyes do fill my own with tears I count it all my joy their joys to share And sorrows small. Because of little dimpled hands Which folded lie, Because of little death-cold feet, for earth's Rough roads unmeet, I'd journey leagues to save from sin or harm And count the lowliest service done for them MRS. M. E. PAULL. THE MYSTERIES. ONCE on my mother's breast, a child I crept, Holding my breath; There, safe and sad, lay shuddering, and wept At the dark mystery of Death. Weary and weak and worn with all unrest, O mother, let me weep upon thy breast At the sad mystery of Life! WILLIAM DEAN HOWELLS. |