Thou little tricksy Puck! With antic toys so funnily bestuck, Light as the singing bird that wings the air (The door! the door! he'll tumble down the stair!) Thou darling of thy sire! (Why, Jane, he'll set his pinafore afire!) Thou imp of mirth and joy! In Love's dear chain so strong and bright a link, Thou cherub - but of earth; Fit playfellow for Fays, by moonlight pale, (That dog will bite him if he pulls its tail!) Thy father's pride and hope! (He'll break the mirror with that skipping-rope !) With pure heart newly stamped from Nature's mint(Where did he learn that squint?) Thou young domestic dove! (He 'll have that jug off, with another shove !) Little epitome of man! (He'll climb upon the table, that's his plan!) Touched with the beauteous tints of dawning life (He's got a knife!) Thou enviable being! No storms, no clouds, in thy blue sky foreseeing, Play on, play on, My elfin John! Toss the light ball — bestride the stick (I knew so many cakes would make him sick!) With fancies, buoyant as the thistle-down, Prompting the face grotesque, and antic brisk, With many a lamb-like frisk, (He's got the scissors, snipping at your gown!) Thou pretty opening rose ! (Go to your mother, child, and wipe your nose!) Balmy and breathing music like the South, (He really brings my heart into my mouth!) Fresh as the morn, and brilliant as its star,— (I wish that window had an iron bar!) Bold as the hawk, yet gentle as the dove,— (I'll tell you what, my love, I cannot write, unless he's sent above !) IV. A SERENADE. "LULLABY, 0, lullaby!" The brat will never shut an eye; Close his lids, or open mine!" Lullaby, O, lullaby! What the devil makes him cry? Lullaby, O, lullaby! Still he stares I wonder why, Why are not the sons of earth Blind, like puppies, from the birth?" "Lullaby, O, lullaby!" Thus I heard the father cry; 66 Lullaby, O, lullaby! Mary, you must come and try! The more I sing, the more you wake!” Lullaby, O, lullaby! Fie, you little creature, fie! Is no poppy-syrup nigh? "Lullaby, O, lullaby! Two such nights and I shall die! Lullaby, O, lullaby! He'll be bruised, and so shall I,— How can I from bed-posts keep, When I'm walking in my sleep!" Lullaby, O, lullaby! Sleep his very looks deny - Nature soon will stupefy My nerves relax,- my eyes grow dim- A PLAIN DIRECTION. "Do you never deviate?"- JOHN BULL. IN London once I lost my way in faring to and fro, I boxed his little saucy ears, and then away I strode; I've read about a famous town that drove a famous trade, "Straight down the Crooked Lane, and all round the Square." I've read about a Fairy Land, in some romantic tale, Where dwarfs if good are sure to thrive and wicked giants fail; My wish is great, my shoes are strong, but how shall I get there? "Straight down the Crooked Lane, and all round the Square." 66 there? Straight down the Crooked Lane, and all round the Square." They say there is an ancient house, as pure as it is old, Where members always speak their minds, and votes are never sold. I'm fond of all antiquities, but how shall I get there? "Straight down the Crooked Lane, and all round the Square." They say there is a royal court maintained in noble state, Where every able man, and good, is certain to be great! I'm very fond of seeing sights, but how shall I get there? "Straight down the Crooked Lane, and all round the Square." They say there is a temple too, where Christians come to pray; I've heard about a pleasant land, where omelettes grow on trees, And roasted pigs run crying out, "Come eat me, if you please." My appetite is rather keen, but how shall I get there? "Straight down the Crooked Lane, and all round the Square." EQUESTRIAN COURTSHIP. It was a young maiden went forth to ride, |