XXI

THE

ESCAPE AT BEDTIME

HE lights from the parlour and kitchen shone out Through the blinds and the windows and bars; And high overhead and all moving about,

There were thousands of millions of stars.

There ne'er were such thousands of leaves on a tree,
Nor of people in church or the Park,

As the crowds of the stars that looked down upon me,
And that glittered and winked in the dark.

The Dog, and the Plough, and the Hunter, and all,
And the star of the sailor, and Mars,

These shone in the sky, and the pail by the wall
Would be half full of water and stars.

They saw me at last, and they chased me with cries,
And they soon had me packed into bed;

But the glory kept shining and bright in my eyes,
And the stars going round in my head.

B'

MARCHING SONG

ORING the comb and play upon it! Marching, here we come! Willie cocks his highland bonnet, Johnnie beats the drum.

Mary Jane commands the party,
Peter leads the rear;

Feet in time, alert and hearty,

Each a Grenadier!

All in the most martial manner
Marching double-quick;
While the napkin like a banner

Waves upon the stick!

Here's enough of fame and pillage,

Great commander Jane!

Now that we've been round the village, Let's go home again.

XXIII

THE COW

HE friendly cow all red and white,

THE

I love with all my heart:

She gives me cream with all her might, To eat with apple-tart.

She wanders lowing here and there,

And yet she cannot stray, All in the pleasant open air,

The pleasant light of day;

And blown by all the winds that pass And wet with all the showers,

She walks among the meadow grass And eats the meadow flowers.

THE

HAPPY THOUGHT

HE world is so full of a number of things,
I'm sure we should all be as happy as kings.

I

XXV

THE WIND

SAW you toss the kites on high

And blow the birds about the sky;
And all around I heard you pass,
Like ladies' skirts across the grass -

O wind, a-blowing all day long,
O wind, that sings so loud a song!

I saw the different things you did,
But always you yourself you hid.
I felt you push, I heard you call,
I could not see yourself at all-

O wind, a-blowing all day long,
O wind, that sings so loud a song!

O you that are so strong and cold,
O blower, are you young or old ?
Are you a beast of field and tree,
Or just a stronger child than me?

O wind, a-blowing all day long,
O wind, that sings so loud a song!