s: O saint whose thousand shrines our feet have trod


s: And our eyes loved thy lamp's eternal beam,


s: Dim earthly radiance of the Unknown God,


s: Hope of the darkness, light of them that dream,


s: Far off, far off and faint, O glimmer on


s: Till we thy pilgrims from the road are gone.


s: O Word whose meaning every sense hath sought,


s: Voice of the teeming field and grassy mound,


s: Deep-whispering fountain of the wells of thought,


s: Will of the wind and soul of all sweet sound,


s: Hear now, O Soul, the last command of all--


s: When thou hast left thine every mortal mark,


s: Won through the desert of the Burning Dark,


s: Thou shalt behold within a garden bright


s: Still is that well, and in its waters cool


s: White, white and windless, sleeps that cypress tree:


s: Who drinks but once from out her shadowy pool


s: His soul shall be with that which hath not been.


s: But thou, though thou be trembling with thy dread,


s: And parched with thy desire more fierce than flame,


s: Think on the stream wherefrom thy life was fed,


s: And that diviner fountain whence it came.


s: Turn thee and cry--behold, it is not far--


s: "Lord, though I lived on earth, the child of earth,


s: Thou knowest I came not of the shadows' birth,


s: Let me not die the death that shadows die.


s: Give me to drink of the sweet spring that leaps


s: From Memory's fount, wherein no cypress sleeps."


s: Then shalt thou drink, O Soul, and therewith slake


s: The immortal longing of thy mortal thirst,


s: So of thy Father's life shalt thou partake,


s: And be for ever that thou wert at first.


s: Lost in remembered loves, yet thou more thou


s: With them shalt reign in never-ending Now.


s: Alas! alas! what impious hands are these?


s: They have cut down my dark mysterious trees,


s: Broken my fathers' fixed and ancient bars,


s: Let in the cold clear aspect of the stars.


s: Slumber hath held the grove for years untold:


s: Is there no reverence for a peace so old?


s: Will they not bow before the eternal flame?


s: Vain! vain! the wind of heaven for ages long


s: Hath whispered manhood, "Let thine arm be strong!


s: Shatter the shrine that chokes the living spring.


s: Leave not the quest for word of saint or king.


s: "Dig deeper yet! though the world brand thee now,


s: Once given the thirst of all the earth to slake.


s: And in thy trembling hands that water take."


s: O son of mine, when dusk shall find thee bending


s: Between a gravestone and a cradle's head--


s: Between the love whose name is loss unending


s: And the young love whose thoughts are liker dread,--


s: Thou too shalt groan at heart that all thy spending


s: For this our love to quit his land of birth,


s: And bid farewell to all the ways of earth


s: Then creep I silent from the stirring hum,


s: When hearts are cold and love's own body numb.


s: Something there must be that I know not here,


s: Or know too dimly through the symbol dear;


s: Some touch, some beauty, only guessed by this--


s: If He that made us loves, it shall replace,


s: And deep communion of thine inmost kiss.


s: Pilgrim, no shrine is here, no prison, no inn:


s: Death is a gate, and holds no room within:


s: I cannot tell, of twain beneath this bond,


s: Which one in grief the other goes beyond,--


s: Died of the love that could not help him more;


s: So for a while he soothed his passion sore;


s: But since that I have Love's true colours donned,


s: For in extremes Love yet can all restore:


s: So till her beauty walks the world no more


s: But the words he spoke were the words of Death.


s: Ye must keep the ford till the race be run."


s: He kissed his wife, he kissed his child:


s: For all your haste the foe had crossed."_


s: With life and death they play their game,


s: And life or death, the end's the same."_


s: Not stand for right when right's his own?_


s: Is it yours to lose?  Is it child and wife?_


s: When late I watched the arrows of the sleet


s: I heard a Rose that murmured from her Pot:


s: "Why trudge thy fellows yonder in the Street?


s: "Before the phantom of False Morning dies,


s: Choked in the bitter Net that binds the skies,


s: Their feet, bemired with Yesterday, set out


s: For the dark alleys where To-morrow lies.


s: "Think you, when all their petals they have bruised,


s: And all the fragrances of Life confused,


s: That Night with sweeter rest will comfort these


s: Than us, who still within the Garden mused?


s: "Think you the Gold they fight for all day long


s: Is worth the frugal Peace their clamours wrong?


s: Their Titles, and the Name they toil to build--


s: Will they outlast the echoes of our Song?"


s: Seek not to know, for no man living knows:


s: But while within your hands the Wine is set


s: Drink ye--to Omar and the Dreaming Rose!


s: Drink! for the rose leaves while you linger


s: Ah! poet's soul, once more with us conspire


s: To grasp this sorry scheme of things entire,


s: Once more with us to-night, old Fitz, once more


s: Remould it nearer to the heart's desire!


s: Deep-wooded combes, clear-mounded hills of morn,


s: Red sunset tides against a red sea-wall,


s: High lonely barrows where the curlews call,


s: Far moors that echo to the ringing horn,--


s: Devon! thou spirit of all these beauties born,


s: All these are thine, but thou art more than all:


s: Speech can but tell thy name, praise can but fall


s: Beneath the cold white sea-mist of thy scorn.


s: Even now to join our faint memorial chime


s: To the fierce chant wherewith their hearts were hot


s: Who took the tide in thy Imperial prime;


s: Whose glory's thine till Glory sleeps forgot


s: With her ancestral phantoms, Pride and Time.


s: At bedtime, when the sunset fire was red


s: One cypress turned to gold beneath its touch.


s: "Sleep now, my little son," the mother said;


s: "In God's high garden all the trees are such."


s: Then did the child in his bright dream behold


s: Branches of gold, trees, forests all of gold.


s: Walking to-day in your garden, O gracious lady,


s: Little you thought as you turned in that alley remote and shady,


s: And gave me a rose and asked if I knew its savour--


s: The old-world scent of the mossrose, flower of a bygone favour--


s: Little you thought as you waited the word of appraisement,


s: Laughing at first and then amazed at my amazement,


s: That the rose you gave was a gift already cherished,


s: And the garden whence you plucked it a garden long perished.


s: But I--I saw that garden, with its one treasure


s: The tiny mossrose, tiny even by childhood's measure,


s: And the long morning shadow of the dusty laurel,


s: And a boy and a girl beneath it, flushed with a childish quarrel.


s: She wept for her one little bud: but he, outreaching


s: And she flung her arms about him, and gave like a sister,


s: And laughed at her own tears, and wept again when he kissed her.


s: So the rose is mine long since, and whenever I find it


s: And drink again the sharp sweet scent of the moss behind it,


s: I remember the tears of a child, and her love and her laughter,


s: Through the green deeps of leafy spring;


s: That matched the song of stream and bird.


s: And here, though Earth be drowned in night,


s: The untroubled eyes that mirrored thine,


s: What though the gold was mixed with dust?


s: "Time mocks thy opening music with a close;


s: What now he gives long since he gave away.


s: Thou deemst thy sun hath risen, but ere it rose


s: It was eclipsed, and dusk shall be thy day."


s: Yet has the Dawn gone up: in loveliest light


s: She walks high heaven beyond the shadow there:


s: Whom I too veiled from all men's envious sight


s: With inward eyes adore and silent prayer.


s: Once, when beside me in that sacred place


s: And saw the Chalice gleam above her face


s: And her dear lips with life immortal red,


s: Then, born again beyond the mist of years,


s: I knelt in Heaven, and drank the wine of tears.


s: Yet as they laughed a voice they heard--


s: When in the womb of Time our souls' own son


s: Dear Love lay sleeping till his natal hour,


s: Long months I knew not that sweet life begun,


s: Too dimly treasuring thy touch of power;


s: Forgot immortal seed must have immortal flower.


s: Only, beloved, since my beloved thou art


s: How twice or thrice beneath my beating heart


s: Life quickened suddenly with proudest pain.


s: Till I might render thee thy own great gift again.


s: For as with bodies, so with souls it is,


s: The greater gives, the lesser doth conceive:


s: That thou hast fathered Love, I tell thee this,


s: And by my pangs beseech thee to believe.


s: Pity his outstretched hands, tenderly him receive!


s: While I within her secret garden walked,


s: With me, their fellow-servant, softly talked,


s: Attending till the Flower of flowers should come.


s: Then, since at Court I had arrived but late,


s: Then they, who know the chronicle of Earth,


s: Spoke of her loveliness, that like a flame


s: Far-handed down from noble birth to birth,


s: Gladdened the world for ages ere she came.


s: "Yea, yea," they said, "from Summer's royal sun


s: "To the sweet buds that of herself are part


s: Already she this portion hath bequeathed,


s: As, not less surely, into thy proud heart


s: Her nobleness, O poet, she hath breathed,


s: When the still sunlight of her eyes shall be


s: Since thou and I have wandered from the highway


s: Shall not our love disdain the unworthy uses


s: I'll not entreat thy half unwilling graces


s: Nor seek to shake thy proud defended places


s: Nor ask against my fortune's grim pursuing


s: Thou'lt not withhold for pleasure vain and cruel


s: Nor yield the key for life's profaner voices


s: But thou shalt tell me of thy queenly pleasure


s: And I'll receive from out my royal treasure


s: So that two realms supreme and undisputed


s: And our high hearts shall praise the beauty hidden


s: By the same Lord who hath His servants bidden


s: They mocked me loud, they mocked me long,


s: Merrily I to market went, tho' songs were all my gold.


s: Merrily I from market came, for all my songs were sold.


s: One day, when Love and Summer both were young,


s: Whereat, when he to kiss her would have sprung,


s: "Forbear," said I, "she is not thine to-day;


s: If thou dare call her from Death's side away


s: Yet did he run, and she his kiss received,


s: "She is twice mine," he cried, "since she is troubled;


s: I knew but half, and now I see her grieved


s: Her thought that, like a brook beside the way,


s: Sang to my steps through all the wandering year,


s: She cannot fail--the beauty of that brow


s: Could never flower above a desert heart--


s: Somewhere beneath, the well-spring even now


s: Some day, when winter has renewed her fount


s: With cold, white-folded snows and quiet rain,


s: O Love, O Love, her stream again will mount


s: O youth, beside thy silver-springing fountain,


s: In sight and hearing of thy father's cot,


s: These and the morning woods, the lonely mountain,


s: These are thy peace, although thou know'st it not.


s: Wander not yet where noon's unpitying glare


s: Beats down the toilers in the city bare;


s: Forsake not yet, not yet, the homely plot,


s: O Youth, beside thy silver-springing fountain.


s: His song of dawn outsoars the joyful bird,


s: Swift on the weary road his footfall comes;


s: The dusty air that by his stride is stirred


s: Beats with a buoyant march of fairy drums.


s: "Awake, O Earth! thine ancient slumber break;


s: To the new day, O slumbrous Earth, awake!"


s: His feet are older than the path they tread;


s: His stride the stride of all the valiant dead;


s: His youngest hopes are memories, and his eyes


s: Deep with the old, old dream that never dies.


s: To Youth there comes a whisper out of the west:


s: "O loiterer, hasten where there waits for thee


s: A life to build, a love therein to nest,


s: And a man's work, serving the age to be."


s: Peace, peace awhile!  Before his tireless feet


s: Hill beyond hill the road in sunlight goes;


s: He breathes the breath of morning, clear and sweet,


s: And his eyes love the high eternal snows.


s: Forth we went in the spring of the year:


s: Low we crouched to the rain-squall dense:


s: Laughed till the sky once more was blue.


s: Great, lesser, less--these writers three


s: H.  Here then, if you insist, my daughter: still,


s: I must confess that I preferred the hill.


s: The warm scent of the pinewood seemed to me


s: The first true breath of summer; did you see


s: The waxen hurt-bells with their promised fruit


s: And thick among the rusty bracken strown


s: Mine is a better place than yours to lie.


s: This dark old yew tree casts a fuller shade


s: Than any pine; the stream is simply made


s: For keeping bottles cool; and when we've dined


s: I could just wade a bit while you . . . reclined.


s: H.  Empty the basket then, without more words . . .


s: But I still wish we had not left the birds.


s: Have forest birds been tethered by the leg?


s: They're everywhere!  What more can you desire?


s: The cuckoo shouts as though he'd never tire,


s: The nuthatch, knowing that of noise you're fond,


s: Keeps chucking stones along a frozen pond,


s: And busy gold-crest, somewhere out of sight,


s: Works at his saw with all his tiny might.


s: I do not count the ring-doves or the rooks,


s: They're hardly real; but from where I sit


s: I see two chaffinches, a long-tailed tit,


s: Where are the biscuits?  Are you getting cramp


s: Down by the water there--it must be damp?


s: It lies so snug beneath this glassy pool,


s: Two little eels go winding, winding slow . . .


s: Don't move, I'll tempt him with a tiny crumb.


s: H.  Be quick about it, please, and don't forget


s: H.  How beautiful the world is when it breathes


s: The news of summer!--when the bronzy sheathes


s: Still hang about the beech-leaf, and the oaks


s: Are wearing still their dainty tasselled cloaks,


s: While on the hillside every hawthorn pale


s: And, down below, the drowsy murmuring stream


s: Lulls the warm noonday in an endless dream.


s: Than all the pageantry of field and tree:


s: _Es singen wohl die Nixen_--ah! 'tis truth--


s: _Tief unten ihren Reih'n_--but only Youth


s: And heard them singing of the world's highway,


s: Of wandering ended, and the maiden found,


s: And golden bread by magic mill-wheel ground.


s: Lost is the magic now, the wheel is still,


s: Yet once a year, one day, when summer dawns,


s: The old, old murmur haunts the river-lawns,


s: The fairies wake, the fairy song is sung,


s: And for an hour the wanderer's feet are young (_he dozes_).


s: H.                        I did not know:


s: H.  When East is West, my daughter, that may be.


s: _Enter FLORA, Lady of Summer, with her maidens, PHYLLIS


s: and AMARYLLIS.  She takes her seat upon a bank,


s: playing with a basket of freshly gathered flowers, one


s: of which she presently holds up in her hand._


s: FLORA.  Ah! how I love a rose!  But come, my girls,


s: Here's for your task: to-day you, Amaryllis,


s: Shall take the white, and, Phyllis, you the red.


s: Hold out your kirtles for them.  White, red, white,


s: How the same sun can breed such different beauties?


s: Well, take them all, and go--scatter them wide


s: In gardens where men love me, and be sure


s: Where even one flower falls, or one soft petal,


s: with bow in hand and a hound by her side.  FLORA


s: rises to meet her, and recalls her maidens._]


s: LUCIA.  Greeting, fair ladies; you, I think, must be


s: Daughters of this green Earth, and one of you


s: FLORA.          Your true servant, madam.


s: LUCIA.              Yes, you have seen me--


s: At least, you might have seen me; I am Lucia,


s: These downs of yours with all my nightly pack


s: Of questing beams and velvet-footed shadows.


s: LUCIA.        Oh, yes! at night you are sleeping!


s: So we don't meet; but sometimes your good folk


s: Have torn my nets by raking in the water;


s: And though their neighbours laughed, there are worse ways


s: Of spending time, and far worse things to rake for


s: Than silver lights upon a crystal stream.


s: But come!  My royal Sire, the Man in the Moon--


s: FLORA.                So many kings come here,


s: I can't be sure; I've heard the Man in the Moon


s: Did once come down and ask his way to Norwich.


s: But that was years agone--hundreds of years--


s: LUCIA.              His age?  Oh surely!


s: He never _can_ be more than one month old.


s: LUCIA.                        Well, he is and is not;


s: They month by month and year by circling year,


s: From their celestial palace looking down


s: On your day-wearied Earth, have soothed her sleep,


s: And rocked her tides, and made a magic world


s: For all her lovers and her nightingales.


s: You owe them much, my ancestors.  No doubt,


s: At times they suffered under clouds; at times


s: They were eclipsed; yet in their brighter hours


s: Your present Sire, his present Serene Highness,


s: For the rank meadows of this sun-worn mould.


s: LUCIA.                 Although my father


s: Has been but ten days reigning, he is sad


s: With all the sadness of a phantom realm,


s: And all the sorrows of ten thousand years.


s: We in our Moonland have no life like yours,


s: No birth, no death: we live but in our dreams:


s: And when they are grown old--these mortal visions


s: Of an immortal sleep--we seem to lose them.


s: They are too strong for us, too self-sufficient


s: To live for us; they go their ways and leave us,


s: Something on earth not unlike this complaint,


s: No one can help.  In Moonland there is famine,


s: We are losing all our dreams, and I come hither


s: LUCIA.               Some little darling dream


s: That will be always with us, night and day,


s: Loving and teasing, sailing light of heart


s: Of our lost childhood, playing our old games,


s: Singing our old songs, asking our old riddles,


s: Building our old hopes, and with our old gusto


s: Plenty of such sweet dreams: _we_ call them children.


s: They are _our_ dreams too, and though they are born of us,


s: Truly in them we live.  But, dearest lady,


s: Not one?  Could you not _lend_ me one--just one?


s: FLORA.  Ah! but to lend what cannot be returned


s: Still, there are children here well worth your hopes,


s: And you shall venture: if there be among them


s: One that your heart desires, and she consent,


s: Take her and welcome--for the will of Love


s: Is the wind's will, and none may guess his going.


s: FLORA.                  Stay! they are here,


s: And let them heed us no more than the trees


s: That girdle this green lawn with whispering beauty.


s: convenient moment the LADY FLORA holds up her hand._]


s: FLORA.  Now, Amaryllis, stay the rushing stream,


s: The meadows for this time have drunk enough.


s: Has their sweet foolish singing moved your heart


s: LUCIA.             I have heard them gladly,


s: And if I could, would turn them all to elves,


s: That if they cannot live with me, at least


s: I might look down when our great galleon sails


s: Close over earth, and see them always here


s: Dancing upon the moonlit shores of night.


s: But how to choose!--and though they are young and fair


s: Their every grace foretells the fatal change,


s: The swift short bloom of girlhood, like a flower


s: Have you not one with petals tenderer yet,


s: More deeply folded, further from the hour


s: When I have known even your forest trees


s: Sway to a song of moonland.  I will try it.


s: (_To an air by HENRY LAWES, published in 1652_)


s: FLORA.  Your spell has won her, and I marvel not:


s: 'Tis time to part, you with this lovely lady


s: To dance in silver halls, and gather stars


s: And be the dream you are: while we return


s: To the old toil and harvest of the Earth.


s: Dimly I see your face: I hear your breath


s: Sigh faintly, as a flower might sigh in death


s: And when you whisper, you but stir the air


s: With a soft hush like summer's own despair.


s: Since from her heart all beauty ebbs away,


s: Let her no more endure the shame of day.


s: A thousand ages have not made less bright


s: The stars that in this fountain shine to-night:


s: Your eyes in shadow still betray the gleam


s: Yes, hearts will burn when all the stars are cold;


s: And Beauty lingers--but her tale is told:


s: Mankind has left her for a game of toys,


s: And fleets the golden hour with speed and noise.


s: Think you the human heart no longer feels


s: Because it loves the swift delight of wheels?


s: And is not Change our one true guide on earth,


s: The surest hand that leads us from our birth?


s: Change were not always loss, if we could keep


s: Beneath all change a clear and windless deep:


s: But more and more the tides that through us roll


s: The foam of transient passions cannot fret


s: The sea-bed of the race, profounder yet:


s: And there, where Greece and her foundations are,


s: Lies Beauty, built below the tide of war.


s: So--to the desert, once in fifty years--


s: Some poor mad poet sings, and no one hears:


s: But what belated race, in what far clime,


s: Not ours perhaps: a nation still so young,


s: So late in Rome's deserted orchard sprung,


s: Bears not as yet, but strikes a hopeful root


s: Till the soil yield its old Hesperian fruit.


s: Is not the hour gone by?  The mystic strain,


s: Degenerate once, may never spring again.


s: To grant such increase to our common oak?


s: Yet may the ilex, of more ancient birth,


s: More deeply planted in that genial earth,


s: Revert, and bear once more the golden bough.


s: Because it issued through the ivory gate!


s: Show me one leaf from that old wood divine,


s: And all your ardour, all your hopes are mine.


s: For--Pan be praised!--I hold the gift you ask.


s: The leaf, the legend, that your wish fulfils,


s: To-day he brought me from the Umbrian hills.


s: Your young Italian--yes!  I saw you stand


s: And point his path across our well-walled land:


s: These narrow fields the goat-foot never trod!


s: Yet from his eyes the mirth a moment glanced


s: To which the streams of old Arcadia danced;


s: And on his tongue still lay the childish lore


s: Of that lost world for which you hope no more.


s: Tell me!--from where I watched I saw his face,


s: And his hands moving with a rustic grace,


s: Caught too the alien sweetness of his speech,


s: But sound alone, not sense, my ears could reach.


s: The tiny beasts, half insect and half bird,


s: That neither eat nor sleep, but die content


s: When they in endless song their strength have spent.


s: To the grey olives and the dust-white track!


s: Or else by chance my Umbrians told it not.


s: Lover of music, you at least should know


s: Ere music was,--and then the Muses came,


s: And love of song took hold on them like flame.


s: Yes, I remember now the voice that speaks--


s: Most living still of all the deathless Greeks--


s: Yet tell me--how they died divinely mad,


s: They are reborn on earth, and from the first


s: They know not sleep, they hunger not nor thirst


s: Summer with glad Cicala's song they fill,


s: Then die, and go to haunt the Muses' Hill.


s: Pray now to Pan, since you too, it would seem,


s: Were there with Phaedrus, by Ilissus' stream.


s: Beloved Pan, and all ye gods whose grace


s: For ever haunts our short life's resting-place,


s: Outward and inward make me one true whole,


s: And thou, O Night, O starry Queen of Air,


s: Remember not my blind and faithless prayer!


s: Since Beauty wanders still the ways of men.


s: The Squire sat propped in a pillowed chair,


s: The last of earth that his eyes could see


s: The last that his heart could understand


s: Was the touch of the tongue that licked his hand


s: And his voice dropped, and the Squire was dead.


s: Now the dog was a hound of the Danish breed,


s: He was named "Fidele," and made it good:


s: When the last of the mourners left the door


s: They buried him there at his master's feet,


s: And all that heard of it deemed it meet:


s: Till it came at last to the Bishop's ears.


s: And he wrote to the Parson the strongest screed


s: Was known to be buried in hallowed ground:


s: They must take the dog from his master's grave.


s: The Parson was wax to my Lord's command:


s: He sent for the Sexton and bade him make


s: A lonely grave by the shore of the lake.


s: Where he used to sit when he used to think:


s: He reasoned slow, but he reasoned it out,


s: And his argument left him free from doubt.


s: "A Bishop," he said, "is the top of his trade;


s: And a Christian couldn't ha' done no more."


s: So the Parson was praised, and the scandal stayed,


s: Till, a long time after, the church decayed,


s: In the tomb of the Squire the bones of a hound.


s: Doubtless he lived as a Prelate and Prince,


s: And died and was buried a century since.


s: And perhaps he has changed his mind by now.


s: The Squire in the family chantry sleeps,


s: For the Sexton's grave you need not search,


s: 'Tis a nameless mound by the island church:


s: But he knew one thing that a Bishop did not.


s: Twelfth-night's over and dawn shivering up:


s: A hasty cut of the loaf, a steaming cup,


s: Down to the door, and there is Coachman John.


s: Ruddy of cheek is John and bright of eye;


s: But John it appears has none of your grins and winks;


s: Civil enough, but short: perhaps he thinks:


s: Words come once in a mile, and always dry.


s: Has he a mind or not?  I wonder; but soon


s: We turn through a leafless wood, and there to the right,


s: Like a sun bewitched in alien realms of night,


s: Mellow and yellow and rounded hangs the moon.


s: Strangely near she seems, and terribly great:


s: The world is dead: why are we travelling still?


s: Nightmare silence grips my struggling will;


s: We are driving for ever and ever to find a gate.


s: "When you come to consider the moon," says John at last,


s: And stops, to feel his footing and take his stand;


s: "And then there's some will say there's never a hand


s: Out to the workday road and wider skies:


s: There's a warm flush in the East where day's to rise,


s: And I'm feeling the better for Coachman John's remark.


s: He's the soul of a clod who thanks not God


s: Halloo!  Halloo! we'll follow it through


s: His courage awakes, his covert he breaks,


s: And he'll beggar the pride of some that ride


s: By the sound of their chime you may tell that it's time


s: Nightacott, Narracott, Hunnacott's passed,


s: He's leading them straight for Blackmoor Gate,


s: We're running him now on a breast-high scent,


s: The pack are a string of struggling ants,


s: They're trying their reins on the edge of the Chains


s: By the little white town he's turned him down,


s: We're a field of two, and we've followed it through


s: Dinna trust to the books and their gammon,


s: Leave professors to read their ain cackle


s: Come awa', sir, we'll oot wi' oor tackle


s: 'Tis a wee bit ower bright, ye were thinkin'?


s: For the salmon's her ain when there's watter,


s: Ye may just put your flee-book behind ye,


s: If they'll no come for this, my man, mind ye,


s: Noo, ye'll stand awa' back while I'm creepin'


s: There's a bonny twalve-poonder a-sleepin'


s: Man, man!  I was fearin' I'd stirred her,


s: For I'm thinkin' that yon kind o' killin'


s: 'Twull be best, sir, for you to be fushin'


s: Ladies, where were your bright eyes glancing,


s: Stepped she not with a grace entrancing,


s: All through the night from dusk to daytime


s: Sorrow shall fade and the world be brighter,


s: The dream we sell for your pottage of truth--


s: Sorrow shall fade and the world be brighter.


s: They earned but little towards their rent


s: They fiddled a tune called Rilloby-rilloby,


s: "Where do you come from, what is your name?


s: What do you want with your Rilloby-rilloby,


s: What do you want with your Rilloby-rill?"


s: And the tune we play is Rilloby-rilloby,


s: But the Grasshoppers merrily fiddled away,


s: O but they played with a willoby-rilloby,


s: And they turned to ask for Rilloby-rilloby,


s: And there was an end of their Rilloby-rilloby,


s: All too late they love that wronged thee,


s: In whom, though tyrants tread their lands,


s: The race that strove to rule Thine earth


s: But send Thy strength on hearts that pray


s: And vaulted with the darkness of the tomb.


s: O Lord our God, we are sojourners here for a day,


s: Strangers and sojourners, as all our fathers were:


s: Our years on the earth are a shadow that fadeth away;


s: Grant us light for our labour, and a time for prayer.


s: Enter and dwell secure, forgetting the years of wrong.


s: O Lord our God, we are strangers and sojourners here,


s: Our beginning was night, and our end is hid in Thee:


s: Our labour on the earth is hope redeeming fear,


s: In sorrow we build for the days we shall not see.


s: We are sojourners here as all our fathers were,


s: As all our children shall be, forgetting and forgot:


s: The fame of man is a murmur that passeth on the air,


s: Strangers travelling down to the land of death:


s: There is neither work nor device nor knowledge there,


s: O grant us might for our labour, and to rest in faith.


s: Let us build for the years we shall not see.


s: With gold and pearl and with the cedar tree,


s: Let us build it for ever in splendour new.


s: Let us build in hope and in sorrow, and rest in Thee.


s: Unchecked, old friend, from Devon to Thibet,


s: Friendship and Memory dog your footsteps yet.


s: So small a pack to follow mighty trails:


s: Long since I saw what difference must be


s: Between a stream like you, a ditch like me.


s: Which scarce at times a living current yield;


s: The other from the high lands of his birth


s: Plunges through rocks and spurns the pastoral earth,


s: Then settling silent to his deeper course


s: Draws in his fellows to augment his force,


s: Becomes a name, and broadening as he goes,


s: Gives power and purity where'er he flows,


s: Till, great enough for any commerce grown,


s: He links all nations while he serves his own.


s: Soldier, explorer, statesman, what in truth


s: Have you in common with homekeeping youth?


s: "Youth" comes your answer like an echo faint;


s: And youth it was that made us first acquaint.


s: Do you remember when the Downs were white


s: With the March dust from highways glaring bright,


s: How you and I, like yachts that toss the foam,


s: From Penpole Fields came stride and stride for home?


s: Mile after mile we measured road and grass,


s: Twin silent shadows, till the hour was done,


s: Since then I know one thing beyond appeal--


s: How runs from stem to stern a trimbuilt keel.


s: Another day--but that's not mine to tell,


s: The man in front does not observe so well;


s: Though, spite of all these five-and-twenty years,


s: As clear as life our schoolday scene appears.


s: The guarded course, the barriers and the rope;


s: The runners, stripped of all but shivering hope;


s: The starter's good grey head; the sudden hush;


s: The stern white line; the half-unconscious rush;


s: The rope again; the long green level straight;


s: The lane of heads, the cheering half unheard;


s: The dying spurt, the tape, the judge's word.


s: You, too, I doubt not, from your Lama's hall


s: Can see the Stand above the worn old wall,


s: Where then they clamoured as our race we sped,


s: As clear as life you, too, can hear the sound


s: Of voices once for all by "lock-up" bound,


s: And see the flash of eyes still nobly bright


s: But in the "Bigside scrimmage" lost to sight.


s: Old loves, old rivalries, old happy times,


s: These well may move your memory and my rhymes;


s: These are the Past; but there is that, my friend,


s: Between us two, that has nor time nor end.


s: Though wide apart the lines our fate has traced


s: Since those far shadows of our boyhood raced,


s: In the dim region all men must explore--


s: The mind's Thibet, where none has gone before--


s: Rounding some shoulder of the lonely trail


s: We met once more, and raised a lusty hail.


s: "Forward!" cried one, "for us no beaten track,


s: The past we love not for its being past,


s: But for its hope and ardour forward cast:


s: The victories of our youth we count for gain


s: Only because they steeled our hearts to pain,


s: Save as she schooled our wills to serve the State.


s: Nay, England's self, whose thousand-year-old name


s: Burns in our blood like ever-smouldering flame,


s: Whose Titan shoulders as the world are wide


s: And her great pulses like the Ocean tide,


s: Lives but to bear the hopes we shall not see--


s: Thereto you answered, "Forward! in God's name;


s: A freeman's Reason well might think it scorn


s: To toil for those who may be never born,


s: But for some Cause not wholly out of ken,


s: Some all-directing Will that works with men,


s: In Whose unending purpose, though we cease,


s: We find our impulse and our only peace."


s: So passed our greeting, till we turned once more,


s: To meet again--ah! when?  Yet once we met,


s: And to one dawn our faces still are set.


s: * In the school quadrangle at Clifton, the site from which, upon


s: 'Tis hard to say if greater waste of time


s: But, of the two, less dangerous it appears


s: To tire our own than poison others' ears.


s: Time was, the owner of a peevish tongue,


s: The pebble of his wrath unheeding flung,


s: Saw the faint ripples touch the shore and cease,


s: And in the duckpond all again was peace.


s: But since that Science on our eyes hath laid


s: The wondrous clay from her own spittle made,


s: We see the widening ripples pass beyond,


s: The pond becomes the world, the world a pond,


s: All ether trembles when the pebble falls,


s: And a light word may ring in starry halls.


s: When first on earth the swift iambic ran


s: Men here and there were found but nowhere Man.


s: From whencesoe'er their origin they drew,


s: Each on its separate soil the species grew,


s: Evolved a fond belief in one small spot.


s: The Greek himself, with all his wisdom, took


s: For the wide world his bright Aegean nook,


s: Who at one time could hear the herald bawl:


s: He never thought on such to spend his rhymes,


s: And if he did, they never read the _Times_.


s: Now all is changed, on this side and on that,


s: The Herald's learned to print and pass the hat;


s: His tone is so much raised that, far or near,


s: All with a sou to spend his news may hear,--


s: And who but, far or near, the sou affords


s: To learn the worst of foreigners and lords!


s: So comes the Pressman's heaven on earth, wherein


s: One touch of hatred proves the whole world kin--


s: "Our rulers are the best, and theirs the worst,


s: Our cause is always just and theirs accurst,


s: Our troops are heroes, hirelings theirs or slaves,


s: Our diplomats but children, theirs but knaves,


s: Our Press for independence justly prized,


s: Theirs bought or blind, inspired or subsidized.


s: For the world's progress what was ever made


s: Like to our tongue, our Empire and our trade?"


s: So chant the nations, till at last you'd think


s: Men could no nearer howl to folly's brink;


s: By howling word for word, but upside down.


s: But where, you cry, could poets find a place


s: (If poets we possessed) in this disgrace?


s: Mails will be mails, Reviews must be reviews,


s: But why the Critic with the Bard confuse?


s: Has lately gone the way of all the rest.


s: With song serene the wilderness he fills,


s: And what he lacks in knowledge gives in noise.


s: At first, ere he began to feel his feet,


s: He begged a corner in the hindmost sheet,


s: Concealed with Answers and Acrostics lay,


s: And held aloof from Questions of the Day.


s: But now, grown bold, he dashes to the front,


s: Among the leaders bears the battle's brunt,


s: Takes steel in hand, and cheaply unafraid


s: To ram the Damned on their Infernal Thrones.


s: Sure, Scriblerus himself could scarce have guessed


s: The Art of Sinking might be further pressed:


s: But while these errors almost tragic loom


s: The Indian Drummer has but raised a boom.


s: Who serves her can but serve her on my plan;


s: Be slim, be stalky, leave your Public Schools


s: To muffs like Bobs and other flannelled fools;


s: The lordliest life (since Buller made such hay)


s: You shoot the pheasant, but it costs too much


s: And does not tend to decimate the Dutch;


s: Your duty plainly then before you stands,


s: Conscription is the law for seagirt lands;


s: Prate not of freedom!  Since I learned to shoot


s: An odd way this, we thought, to criticize--


s: This barrackyard "Attention! d---- your eyes!"


s: But England smiled and lightly pardoned him,


s: But now the neighbourhood remonstrance roars,


s: He's naughty still, and naughty out of doors.


s: 'Tis well enough that he should tell Mamma


s: Her sons are tired of being what they are,


s: But to give friendly bears, expecting buns,


s: A paper full of stale unwholesome Huns--


s: One might be led to think, from all this work,


s: That little master's growing quite a Turk.


s: O Rudyard, Rudyard, in our hours of ease


s: (Before the war) you were not hard to please:


s: You loved a regiment whether fore or aft,


s: You loved the very dregs of barrack life,


s: The amorous colonel and the sergeant's wife.


s: You sang the land where dawn across the Bay


s: The land where comrades sleep by Cabul ford,


s: And Valour, brown or white, is Borderlord,


s: The secret Jungle-life of child and beast,


s: These, these we loved with you, and loved still more


s: The Seven Seas that break on Britain's shore,


s: The winds that know her labour and her pride,


s: And the Long Trail whereon our fathers died.


s: In that Day's Work be sure you gained, my friend,


s: If not the critic's name, at least his end;


s: Your song and story might have roused a slave


s: With voice so genial and so long of reach


s: To your Own People you the Law could preach,


s: To Lesser Breeds expose their lack of sense.


s: The ringing engines and the deep-sea rain,


s: The roaring chanty of the shore-wind's verse,


s: Too bluff to bicker and too strong to curse.


s: The coastwise beacons that we knew of old;


s: So shall you guide us when the stars are veiled,


s: And stand among the Lights that never Failed.


s: Still must I hear?--while Austin prints his verse


s: And Satan's sorrows fill Corelli's purse,


s: No longer tell the public what to think--


s: Must lectures and reviewing all be stayed


s: Until they're licensed by the Board of Trade?


s: Prepare for rhyme--I'll risk it--bite or bark


s: I'll stop the press for neither Gosse nor Clarke.


s: O sport most noble, when two cocks engage


s: With equal blindness and with equal rage!


s: When each, intent to pick the other's eye,


s: Sees not the feathers from himself that fly,


s: And, fired to scorch his rival's every bone,


s: Ignores the inward heat that grills his own;


s: Until self-plucked, self-spitted and self-roast,


s: Each to the other serves himself on toast.


s: But stay, but stay, you've pitched the key, my Muse,


s: Such penny whistling suits the cockpit's hum,


s: But here's a scene deserves the biggest drum.


s: Behold where high above the clamorous town


s: The vast Cathedral-towers in peace look down:


s: Hark to the entering crowd's incessant tread--


s: They bring their homage to the mighty dead.


s: Who in silk gown and fullest-bottomed wig


s: Room for Sir Edward! now we shall be told


s: Which shrines are tin, which silver and which gold.


s: 'Tis done! and now by life-long habit bound


s: Indicts and pleads, sums up the _pro_ and _con_,


s: The verdict finds and puts the black cap on.


s: "Prisoners, attend! of Queen Victoria's day


s: You cannot think like Tennyson deceased,


s: You do not sing like Browning in the least.


s: Browning I cut to something like one-third:


s: Though, mind you this, immoral he is not,


s: Still quite two-thirds I hope will be forgot.


s: And that reminds me, Thomas too was vile.


s: He wrote a life or two, but parts, I'm sure,


s: Compared with other parts are very poor.


s: In fiction with what people really felt.


s: That proves his genius.  Thackeray again


s: And last of all, with History to conclude,


s: I've read Macaulay and I've heard of Froude.


s: That list, with all deductions, Gentlemen,


s: Will show that 'now' is not the same as 'then'.


s: If you believe the plaintiff you'll declare


s: That English writers are not what they were."


s: Down sits Sir Edward with a glowing breast,


s: And some applause is instantly suppressed.


s: A quick uncertain step is heard to lurch.


s: Who is it? no one knows; but by his mien


s: He's the head verger, if he's not the Dean.


s: "What fellow's this that dares to treat us so?


s: This is no place for lawyers, out you go!


s: To move our laurels and arrange our tombs.


s: (Or do you think those gentlemen are dead?)


s: This age has borne no advocates of rank,


s: Would not your face in turn be rather blank?


s: And leave these high and heavenly things to us;


s: You may perhaps be some one, at the Bar,


s: Sir Edward turns to go, but as he wends,


s: "Your logic and your taste I both disdain,


s: You've quoted wrong from Jonson and Montaigne."


s: The shaft goes home, and somewhere in the rear


s: Birrell in smallest print is heard to cheer.


s: And yet--and yet--conviction's not complete:


s: There was a time when Milton walked the street,


s: And Shakespeare singing in a tavern dark


s: Would not have much impressed Sir Edward Clarke.


s: To be alive--ay! there's the damning thing,


s: For who will buy a bird that's on the wing?


s: Catch, kill and stuff the creature, once for all,


s: But while he's free to go his own wild way


s: In fine, if I must choose--although I see


s: That both are wrong--Great Gosse!  I'd rather be


s: Than a blind horse that starves knee-deep in corn.


s: NOTE.--The foregoing parody, which first appeared in _The Monthly


s: _The fighting Téméraire_.--The last two stanzas have been


s: surrendered in 1784.  In 1799, at the Siege of Seringapatam,


s: Major-General Baird commanded the first European brigade, and


s: "Clifton, remember these thy sons who fell


s: audience make their choice by laying a hand upon any token which


s: illustration, so the illustration tags within


s: the text have been removed to avoid congestion.


s: Of velvet lawns the scythe smoothes o'er:


s: And how each champion brave would fight,


s: Then shrill the wind-winged heralds blew;


s: And spread with 'broidered hangings gay,


s: Whom all the crowd of flowers did greet.


s: With glittering spines all armed he came,


s: Some cried, "the Lily", some, "the Rose"


s: Of Rose-craft, since from wild thorn frail


s: And thus Queen Summer spake her thought:


s: And strong to bear times' wintry weather


s: Time's snows shall quench not, though they hide:


s: And trimmed the grass & decked each seat,


s: The original spelling and capitalization have been retained;


s: however, long s's have been transcribed as modern s's.


s: Now if you are good and deserving regard,


s: This book full of Pictures shall be your reward.


s: Let us note from the green arbour's nook,


s: While the poor SHEPHERD'S-PURSE is ta'en


s: In the race of the flowers that's run due,


s: Though the DEADLY NIGHTSHADE'S upon her.


s: The HORSE-TAIL, 'scaped from WOLFE'S CLAW,


s: And the BISHOP'S-WEED covers his grace's


s: But, at sight of Scotch THISTLE, turned pale:


s: Seek HEARTSEASE in the close box-border.


s: Where, starched in their ruff's stiff fold,


s: 'Twas lost in the wood in a summer shower


s: When the CLOWN'S WORT tried to trip her.


s: And through the green gloom glows the light


s: Cuts his legs to the length of his cloth.


s: And been watched by the crows from the hill;


s: He would not work, and he would not play;


s: And so poor, that the jacket on his back


s: So he strolled along, with whistle and song,


s: Who carried some beans in his hand--all white.


s: For the brindle cow." Jack said, "All right."


s: And, without any gold for the cow he had sold,


s: Out of the window the beans were thrown,


s: They made a ladder all green and bright,


s: And Jack sprang up it with all his might,


s: "_Hitchity-hatchet, my little red jacket,


s: Then high as a kite, and high as the moon,


s: He toiled and tugged and climbed till noon;


s: And he begged of a woman there some bread;


s: But she heard her husband, the Giant, roar,


s: And she gave him a shove in the old brick oven,


s: And the Giant sniffed, and beat his breast,


s: His poor wife prayed he would sit and rest,--


s: He cried the louder, "_Fe, fi, fo, fum!_


s: And drank a barrel of beer to the dregs;


s: Then he called for his little favorite hen,


s: As under the table he stretched his legs,--


s: And he roared "Ho! ho!"--like a buffalo--


s: Jack waited a minute, then, growing bold,


s: And caught the hen in his arms, and then


s: But the Giant heard him leave the house,


s: And followed him out, and bellowed "Oh-oh!"


s: "_Hitchity-hatchet, my little red jacket,


s: And the Giant howled, and gnashed his teeth.


s: And Giant and Bean-stalk, in one dash,--


s: This brought Jack fame, and riches, too;


s: And he and his mother lived with each other


s: Were stored in the napkin, nice and neat;


s: And she hummed such tunes as the bumble-bees


s: The child, and marked her for his prize.


s: "What are you carrying there?" he cried;


s: "Is it some fresh-baked cakes and pies?"


s: Two roads branch towards her cottage here;


s: See which will get there first, my dear!"


s: "Pull the string, and the latch will fly!"


s: "Pull the string and the latch will fly!"


s: "Oh, granny dear!" she cried, "are you worse?"


s: And snug up tight here under the clothes?"


s: Red Riding-hood answered, "Yes," of course.


s: And a fierce great mouth, wide open spread,


s: And green eyes, filled with wicked leers;


s: Yet she softly asked, in spite of her fears:


s: "Oh, granny! what makes your ears so big?"


s: "Oh, granny! what make your eyes so big?"


s: "Oh, granny! what makes your teeth so big?"


s: Hearing her shriek, rushed, with his knife,


s: While she thought her own two ugly crows,


s: While the sisters, clad in silk and satin,


s: While the two step-sisters, year by year,


s: Two peacocks, with their tails outspread,


s: Or from under the big, flat garden stone,


s: To pinch their waists, and curl their hair,


s: And the sisters turned from pale to red,


s: And in hateful anger cried, and stormed,


s: That the London streets were paved with gold.


s: A place more grand than the village green;


s: So his thoughts by day, and his dreams by night,


s: There was bitter taste to the peasant bread,


s: He wandered here, and he wandered there,


s: And at last, when he could walk no more,


s: He sank down faint at a merchant's door.


s: And scattered crusts, and crumbs, to eat;


s: And she beat him dreadfully with the broom;


s: And he turned--so cheered he was at that--


s: He bought the cat with his only penny,--


s: For where he had slept the mice were many.


s: To the pans and potatoes and cruel cook,


s: The merchant was sending his ship abroad,


s: Till she touched at last at a far country;


s: They dined with the king; the tables fine


s: Groaned with the meat and fruit and wine;


s: But, as soon as the guests were ranged about,


s: They swarmed on the table, and on the floor,


s: And the guests were frightened almost to death!


s: To lose their dinners they thought a shame.


s: "I will!" and the cat belonged to the king.


s: When the good ship's homeward voyage was done,


s: At his master's wish 'twas put in trade;


s: And the tune the Bow-bells sang that day,


s: In the course of time came true and right,


s: The mill to this, and the donkey to that,


s: With a cat to feed, he should die, indeed,


s: And he stormed, with many a bitter word,


s: Which Puss, who lay in the cupboard, heard.


s: Still, after a space of doubt and thought,


s: The pair of boots and the bag were bought.


s: She was on her way to the woods, for game,


s: And, one by one, they were choked to death.


s: She found him upon his throne, in state,


s: While near him his lovely daughter sate.


s: And Puss strode off to her master's home,


s: And cried, "I've a splendid plan for you!


s: The youth said "Pooh!" but still, next day,


s: And screamed, when the king came into sight,


s: "'Tis the knight who sent the rabbit stew,"


s: And a suit of clothes was brought with speed,


s: And he rode in their midst, on a royal steed.


s: Where he sat, with a great club in his hand,


s: But he only grinned, with a dreadful grin.


s: Now, please, if you can, change into a mouse!"


s: Then, as the king and his suite appeared,


s: She stood on the palace porch and cheered.


s: And Puss in Boots was their favorite page,


s: Cloaked and furred as in winter weather,--


s: She searched the bare brown meadow over,


s: She smoothed them down with loving pats,


s: She heard, although she scarce knew how,


s: Meanwhile, outside, through branch and bough,


s: Dame Spider had spun herself lank and thin


s: Grasshopper had traveled so far and so fast


s: And they made a mixed but a merry throng,


s: For those who had children took them along.


s: They pitched their tent and made their camp,


s: She shrieked with joy, "O, see the cherries!"


s: When they found some low-bush huckleberries.


s: So, spinning a silk thread, long and fine,


s: While Bumble Bee, in his gold-laced clothes,


s: In the shade of a clover leaf lay for a doze.


s: They screamed; but they got on very well,


s: For they found what the Ant called an "umberell."


s: Which the blundering Beetle thought a boat.


s: He never came back from that fatal swim,


s: So 'twas always thought that a fish found him.


s: And smoked, till the Ant yawned wide and said:


s: But scarce was each to his slumber laid,


s: When the country folks came to serenade;


s: And shriek of fife, they stayed till morn!


s: So they started for home at break of day.


s: Little Dame Spider had finished her spinning,


s: Just as the warm summer day was beginning,


s: And the white threads of her beautiful curtain


s: Tied she and glued she to make them more certain.


s: Dressed in her old-fashioned feathers and fringes,


s: Then she sat down to wait; on silken hinges


s: Swung the light fleece with a moonshiny glisten;


s: Nothing for her but to watch and to listen.


s: Bowing politely, as neighbor to neighbor,


s: When he caught sight of this little old woman,--


s: Sailed by a honey-bee, serge-clad and common.


s: "Are you so scornful because I am humble?


s: Many a time your rich relatives, Bumble,


s: Pause in their flying to chat for an hour!"


s: She called out after him, half gay, half sour.


s: "O, no," he cried. "I am off to discover


s: What I can find fresh in the way of white clover;


s: But since your window is cosy and shady,


s: I _will_ sit down half a minute, dear Lady."


s: Quick as a flash threw her long arms around him,


s: Heeded no buzzing, but held him and bound him;


s: Tied knots so tight that he could not undo them;


s: Wove snares so strong that he could not break through them;


s: Then, with a relish, stood chuckling and grinning,


s: "This is to pay me for my early spinning!"


s: At the home-hive the bees going and coming


s: Kept up all day their industrious humming,


s: Nor did it one of their busy heads bother


s: That Madame Spider had dined off their brother.


s: (A dear, wise head has the little Ginx!)


s: But when the stroke comes, scampering quick,


s: Till at last, when they had reached the bridge,


s: "Pray stick beat dog, dog won't bite kid,


s: "Pray fire burn stick, stick won't beat dog,


s: "Pray water quench fire, fire won't burn stick,


s: Stick won't beat dog, dog won't bite kid,


s: "Pray ox drink water, water won't quench fire,


s: Fire won't burn stick, stick won't beat dog,


s: "Pray butcher kill ox, ox won't drink water,


s: Water won't quench fire, fire won't burn stick,


s: "Pray rope hang butcher, butcher won't kill ox,


s: Ox won't drink water, water won't quench fire,


s: "Pray rat gnaw rope, rope won't hang butcher,


s: Butcher won't kill ox, ox won't drink water,


s: Rope won't hang butcher, butcher won't kill ox,


s: Why, a nest, of course, and an egg or so,


s: The fairest young maiden, that ever was seen,


s: Oh Mary, oh Mary, your true love is dead.


s: First, Saxon Edith, of the corn-silk hair,


s: Then little brother, on whose sturdy face


s: As fear or pleasure give each other place


s: Then Gold-locks--summers nine their goldenest


s: Then, close at hand, on lowly haunches set,


s: Is Tony, little cleared-eyed spaniel pet,


s: They only crowd more confident and bold,


s: And so, remembering how, once on a time,


s: I choose this one and put it into rhyme,


s: And his hair was as long as 'twould grow.


s: None of you, dears, though fair-faced and clever,


s: Well, one day--for so runs the tradition--


s: With his wise, prying eyes spied him out,


s: "Well, then, both yourself and your mother


s: "And you never shall lack wine nor bread."


s: There burned a strange lamp at a shrine;


s: Great stones marked the one place to enter;


s: Then he stepped through the cavern-like door.


s: Down, down, through the darkness so chilly!


s: Not a fruit on the boughs made him linger,


s: He plucked the hot wick out, and, turning,


s: "Reach the lamp up to me, first!" he said.


s: And he cried, "Wait a bit, and we'll see!"


s: Then with huge, ugly push of his shoulder,


s: And with strong, heavy thrust of his knee,


s: He was freed from the place in a minute;


s: And he rubbed once again: "Take me home!"


s: Rubbed again for the Genius with: "Come,


s: Thus at first he but valued his treasure


s: Who, though sought for and sued for by many,


s: For the first thing he did was to send her


s: Black slaves and white slaves, thick as bees,


s: Fine to see, swift to serve, sure to please!


s: Him she wedded. They lived without trouble


s: But one day, like the burst of a bubble,


s: With a shrewdness which would have done credit


s: Sought the lamp where the wizard had hid it,


s: Brought it forth, and then, rubbing with glee,


s: And with gay clouds of banners and towers,


s: With its millions of slaves, white and black.


s: And ere one could count ten it was back!


s: Once on a time there was a man so hideous and ugly


s: That little children shrank and tried to hide when he appeared;


s: Yet he was rich, O! very rich; his home was in a castle,


s: Whose turrets darkened on the sky, so grand and black and bold


s: That like a thunder-cloud it looked upon the blue horizon.


s: He had fertile lands and parks and towns


s: Now near to this old Blue-beard's castle lived a lady neighbor,


s: Who had two daughters, beautiful as lilies on a stem;


s: And he asked that one of them be given him in marriage--


s: He did not care which one it was, but left the choice to them.


s: But, oh, the terror that they felt, their efforts to evade him,


s: With careless art, with coquetry, with wile and stratagem!


s: And, sure enough, before a week was ended, blinded, dazzled,


s: The youngest maiden whispered "yes," and yielded to her fate.


s: And so she wedded Blue-beard--like a wise and wily spider


s: He had lured into his web the wished-for, silly little fly!


s: And, before the honeymoon was gone, one day he stood beside her,


s: And with oily words of sorrow, but with evil in his eye,


s: He bade her have her friends, as many as she liked, about her,


s: And handed her a jingling bunch of something, saying, "These


s: Will open vaults and cellars and the heavy iron boxes


s: Go where you like, do what you will, one single thing excepted!"


s: And here he look a little key from out the bunch of keys.


s: "This will unlock the closet at the end of the long passage,


s: But that you must not enter! I forbid it!"--and he frowned.


s: So she promised that she would not, and he went upon his journey.


s: Came to visit her, and made the dim old corridors and chambers


s: With their silken dresses whisper, with laugh and song resound.


s: Up and down the oaken stairways flitted dainty-footed ladies,


s: Lighting up the shadowy twilight with the lustre of their bloom;


s: And so one day she slipped away from all her guests, unnoted,


s: Down through the lower passage, till she reached the fatal door,


s: Put in the key and turned the lock, and gently pushed it open--


s: But, oh the horrid sight that met her eyes! Upon the floor


s: There were blood-stains dark and dreadful,


s: Then, at once, upon her mind the unknown fate that had befallen


s: The other wives of Blue-beard flashed--'twas now no mystery!


s: She started back as cold as icicles, as white as ashes,


s: And upon the clammy floor her trembling fingers dropped the key.


s: For when one side, by dint of work, grew bright, upon the other


s: (It was bewitched, you know,) came out that ugly spot again!


s: But old Blue-beard himself who hadn't been away a week!


s: He saw at once the stain it bore while she turned pale and paler,


s: Could only fall before him pleading: "Give me time to pray!"


s: Just fifteen minutes by the clock he granted. To her chamber


s: She fled, but stopped to call her sister Anne by the way.


s: Oh, fly, and if you see them, wave a signal! Hasten! hasten!"


s: And Anne went flying like a bird up to the tower high.


s: "Oh, Anne, sister Anne, do you see anybody coming?"


s: Called the praying lady up the tower-stairs with piteous cry.


s: "Oh Anne, sister Anne, do you see anybody coming?"


s: "I see the burning sun," she answered, "and the waving grass!"


s: Meanwhile old Blue-beard down below was whetting up his cutlass,


s: And shouting: "Come down quick, or I'll come after you, my lass!"


s: To hope how slow the minutes are, to dread how swift they pass!


s: She answered: "Yes I see a cloud of dust that moves this way."


s: "Is it our brothers, Anne?" implored the lady. "No, my sister,


s: It is a flock of sheep." Here Blue-beard thundered out: "I say,


s: Come down or I'll come after you!" Again the only answer:


s: "Oh, just one little minute more,--one minute more to pray!"


s: "I see two horsemen riding, but they yet are very far!"


s: Two horsemen, with their swords in hand,


s: Down fell his cruel arm, the heavy cutlass falling with it,


s: And, instead of its old, ugly blue, his beard was bloody red!


s: The brothers were rewarded with commissions in the army;


s: And as for Blue-beard's wife, she did exactly as she should,--


s: She wore no weeds, she shed no tears; but very shortly after


s: Married a man as fair to look at as his heart was good.


s: The little brown owl sits up in the Tree,


s: He says Whit a whoo, when the night grows dark,


s: The ringing bells and the booming cannon


s: The towers flung out their brightest banners,


s: Great plans for feasting and merry-making


s: And, to bring good fortune, seven fairies


s: Set thickly round on the sides and covers


s: When the day of the christening came, the bugles


s: Drums throbbed, and endless lines of soldiers


s: And the fairies were there the king had bidden,


s: But right in the midst a strange old woman


s: Who had not peeped, till now, from her dungeon


s: That neither a seat nor a dish at the banquet


s: Now came the hour for the gift-bestowing;


s: Touched with her wand the child and gave her


s: The fourth, "Dance well!" and the fifth, "O Princess,


s: The sixth gave, "Joy in the heart forever!"


s: The crooked, black old Dame came forward,


s: "You shall prick your finger upon a spindle,


s: All trembling were the lords and ladies,


s: That cruel curse I can change and soften,


s: "But the sleep, though I do my best and kindest,


s: On the king's stern face was a dreadful pallor,


s: "Yet after the hundred years are vanished,"--


s: "A Prince of a noble line shall find her,


s: But the king, with a hope to change the future,


s: That, if in all the land there was kept one spindle,


s: And at last, in the course of years, had blossomed


s: And one day, in her father's summer palace,


s: She climbed to the top of the highest turret,


s: And there in the dusky cobwebbed garret,


s: "O Goody," she cried, "what are you doing?"


s: The Princess laughed: "'Tis so very funny,


s: With a careless touch, from the hand of Goody


s: And the fatal spindle pricked her finger!


s: And Goody shrieking, the frightened courtiers


s: The roses upon her cheek still blooming,


s: While the lids of her eyes, like night-shut lilies,


s: Then the fairy who strove her fate to alter


s: That neither the roar of winds nor thunder


s: Then at last one day, past the long-enchanted


s: Who, catching a glimpse of a royal turret


s: Felt in his heart a strange wish for exploring


s: And, lo, a path through the deepest thicket


s: On, on he went, till he spied a terrace,


s: And rows of soldiers upon their carbines


s: Up the broad steps! The doors swung backward!


s: But a lofty chamber, opening, showed him


s: And there in her beauty, warm and glowing,


s: While only a word from his lips was needed


s: He spoke the word, and the spell was scattered,


s: The lady woke. "Dear Prince," she murmured,


s: Then at once the whole great slumbering palace


s: She was the bride who for years an hundred


s: And now that the hour was here to claim her,


s: The Princess blushed at his royal wooing,


s: And the chaplain, yawning, but very lively,


s: But about the dress of the happy Princess,


s: It must have grown somewhat old-fashioned


s: No traits, after all, that were very bad.


s: Patched up in all colors from gray to black.


s: That he never washed his face; and his hair


s: (Though 'twas hard to say he was really a fool)


s: To the block that was kept for the greatest dunce.


s: Made bigger tracks on the country grass;


s: Bare-headed, bare-footed, in wind and sun.


s: No one said "Jack" without saying "Jill."


s: With a pail in his hand, and broke his crown!


s: Tear falling on tear, sob following sob!


s: For a break in _her_ head, had fixed the same.


s: (His hair) bound up with a cloth, and his jaw


s: Made her clap her hands and laugh outright!


s: Got a stick and said, "I'll whip her next!"


s: But she did it in earnest, she did it well,


s: And Jill needed a plaster as much as Jack!


s: And if _he_ falls again, why, of course _she_ will!


s: And she dressed in a short white petticoat,


s: And a kirtle of blue, with a looped-up look,


s: They had tears to laugh with, and tears to weep.


s: So fringy, and shy, and blue, and sweet,


s: Now, a shepherdess ought to watch her sheep;


s: The sweetest her tongue had ever tasted;


s: They were few in number, and small in size,


s: To the top of the nearest knoll she ran,


s: She shaded her face, and called, "Nan! Nan!"


s: Her feet grew tired, the hills were steep;


s: She sighed, "I don't know where to find 'em.


s: But let 'em alone, and they'll come home,


s: All red with the fruit she had been eating;


s: While her thoughts were only of her lost friends,


s: And she dreamed she heard them bleating.


s: As she lay on the grass, her flock of sheep,


s: With scatter and clatter and patter of feet,


s: Came hastening from all ways hither, thither;


s: First one would bleat, then another would bleat,


s: That her flock was with her; for when she woke,


s: She found that her dream was all a joke,


s: Down from her lashes the tears would creep;


s: Before it should be too dark to find them;


s: She found them indeed, but it made her heart bleed,


s: For they'd left their tails behind them!


s: Did she laugh or cry, our little Bo-Peep,


s: There were plenty of bodies, white and fat;


s: And plenty of wide mouths, eating, eating;


s: Yet all of them stood, and tried to keep


s: To have her come with her crook to find them,


s: But they felt so strangely because they had


s: Who bleated and stamped to greet Bo-Peep,


s: With their tails shorn close, were odd enough;


s: That the tails were lost from her pretty sheep,


s: And there's very little good in crying!"


s: So away she went, and at last, in a tree,


s: She piled them up in a great white heap,


s: And the best she could do, poor little Bo-Peep!


s: Was to try to fasten them where they grew--


s: Or that was, at least, what she intended,--


s: Buz, Buz, Buz--says the Great buzzing Bee.


s: Go away butterfly--this flower is for me.


s: Why? Why? Why? says the little butterfly,


s: If you may sit on this flower, why may'nt I?


s: Who could be aught but poor to feed and shelter


s: For all were merely lads; not one was able


s: Though scant it might be, coarse and black and humble,


s: And, worst of all, the youngest one was puny,


s: That father, mother, and the other brothers,


s: So small he was when he was born, so tiny


s: That--for he was no bigger than your finger--


s: Now at this time, for days and days together,


s: The corn shrunk on the stalks; and in the sunshine


s: As if a fire had swept across the meadows


s: One night he sat before a smouldering fire,


s: Trying with those weak wits of his to compass


s: His wife above the feeble embers hovered,


s: She knew there was no help for their starvation,


s: At last he spoke: "Ah, bad luck to the trying,


s: "I cannot bear to watch this piece meal starving,


s: "Oh!" groaned the wife, "I'm sure the wolves will eat them,


s: Yet do as you think best--we all must perish!"


s: Meanwhile, though all the rest were sleeping soundly,


s: And at the thought of wolves and woods, in terror


s: And so he lay and planned; and early dressed him,


s: Down to the river, where he filled his pockets


s: And, as they started for the wood, he lingered


s: They came to dismal places, dropped in secret


s: Thick grew the trees; 'twas twilight in their shadows,


s: And chattering like a flock of busy sparrows;


s: They turned to ask their mother for their dinner,


s: Then all but Hop-o'-my-Thumb wailed out affrighted.


s: "I'll find the path, if you'll but keep together


s: By the white stones strewn on the dead pine needles,


s: Led the way out, and spied their humble cottage,


s: They hurried near, and, pausing at the window,


s: And peeped within; his father and his mother


s: They went for beef for two, they were so hungry


s: Quick as a flash the ravenous seven went rushing


s: Nor left, of the fine roast upon the table,


s: It all went well long as the money lasted.


s: The father planned to take them to the forest,


s: Hop-o'-my-Thumb, who heard again the plotting,


s: But in the place of pebbles in his pockets


s: Again they went, through brier and through thicket,


s: Again he dropped his clues along the pathway


s: But when once more they found themselves deserted,


s: Felt sure to lead them out, he found the finches


s: Then what to do! They wandered hither, thither,


s: Until at last they saw, with fitful glimmer,


s: It shone but faintly, like a single candle,


s: They reached a house and knocked; the door was opened


s: And a kind woman asked them what they wanted.


s: "Run, run away! The faster you run the better!"


s: "An Ogre lives here, cruel and bloody minded!


s: Run, run! I hear him coming from the mountains,


s: "But we can't run, we are so faint and tired!"


s: "'Tis all the same whether the wolves shall eat us,


s: And so she took them in, fed them, and hid them


s: And in a minute more they heard approaching,


s: Two calves upon a spit, ten rabbits roasting,


s: He banged the door wide open, sniffed and snorted,


s: Roared out, while his poor wife stood by and trembled,


s: In vain she told him 'twas the mutton scorching;


s: He searched the house, peering around and under,


s: Then dragged them one by one out, fairly shouting


s: Saying the lads would make, towards a dinner,


s: "O, leave them till to-morrow!" cried the woman;


s: "Well, so I have," he said, "I'll wait a little.


s: Now it so chanced the Ogre had seven daughters,


s: In a large room, and each wore for a nightcap


s: And Hop-o'-my-Thumb, when all the house was quiet,


s: And the gold head-bands for himself and brothers


s: And, being but half awake, would kill the children


s: And, sure enough, he did! He was so drowsy,


s: That, whetting up a huge, broad-bladed dagger,


s: Then Hop-o'-my-Thumb, awakening his brothers,


s: Without a word they did as they were bidden,


s: Out in the drizzly mist of a gray morning,


s: And none too soon! Within an hour the Ogre


s: "Wife, fetch my seven-league boots at once!" he shouted;


s: He stamped his feet into the magic leather


s: And off he started, over hill and valley,


s: The children saw him like a giant shadow,


s: He scoured the country, rumbling like a tempest;


s: Until at last his seven-league feet grew tired,


s: And down he lay to rest him for a minute--


s: Close to a rock where lay the seven children,


s: Hop-o'-my-thumb spoke softly to his brothers:


s: And Hop-o'-my-Thumb, creeping from out his crevice,


s: The Ogre's boots off (these would shrink or widen


s: And put them on himself. Then he decided


s: And, as he traveled towards the royal palace,


s: There was a war. The king had need of service


s: He heard his tale, and said, "I'll use this fellow


s: So little Hop-o'-my-Thumb made mints of money,


s: Lived very easy lives, and from his bounty


s: As for the Ogre, in his sleep he tumbled


s: And was so bumped and bruised he never rallied,


s: And Hop-o'-my-Thumb, whose influence in high places


s: Made the kind Ogress, who had hidden and fed them,


s: For if, by chance, they both should die,


s: They begged for food; he paused a space;


s: And out in the world, as they were sent,


s: "Give me some straw for a house and bed,"


s: A wolf came along and knocked at the door,


s: "Little pig, little pig, let me come in!"


s: "No, no, by the hair of my chinny, chin, chin!"


s: The old wolf grumbled, and added beside,


s: "Then I'll huff and I'll puff and I'll blow your house in!"


s: And he huffed and he puffed and he blew the house in,


s: The second little pig went marching away


s: To the world to find his fortune. And when


s: Who bore on their shoulders bunches of furze,


s: Give me some furze for a house and bed!"


s: The wolf came along and knocked at the door:


s: Then the old wolf growled, and added beside,


s: With his curly tail and his saucy snout,


s: You are perfectly willing to give me those?"


s: Then the wolf filled his cheeks out on each side,


s: Then I'll huff and I'll puff and I'll blow your house in!"


s: Well, he huffed and he puffed and he huffed,


s: And he puffed and he huffed and he puffed,


s: Some nice fresh turnips!" Pig grunted, "Where?"


s: "O, over at Smith's, in his home field--


s: To-morrow at six?" "Yes," piggie squealed.


s: Next day, and to go through the early dew


s: And took enough for his dinner, and then


s: And asked the pig, "Are you ready to go?"


s: I've enough for dinner," the pig replied.


s: But, "I know where's a lovely apple tree,"


s: And the wise little pig, from where he sat,


s: "At the Merry Garden; if you'll be fair,


s: The little pig was, for as early as four


s: He was out next day, and running, running,


s: Proved twice as far as he thought 'twould be.


s: He climbed the boughs in the greatest haste,


s: And thought to himself, "I'll only taste,


s: He had eaten a score--then what should he see


s: But the big gray wolf just under the tree!


s: And he said, "Little pig, are the apples good?"


s: Pig thought he should fall from where he sat,


s: But he answered, "The nicest under the sun!


s: The pig was out of the tree, and as fleet


s: On, into his house, while after him sped


s: But the little pig proved too swift for him.


s: And he knocked and called "Little pig, I pray,


s: You will go to the Shanklin Fair with me.


s: Got the start of the wolf, and went at one.


s: At the fair he bought him a butter churn,


s: But the wolf! and it frightened him dreadfully.


s: He passed the wolf with a bump and bound.


s: He was frightened worse than he'd frightened the pig,


s: Far out of his own and the little pig's way.


s: He was nearly starved--his pattering toes


s: Were heard again at the little pig's door.


s: Of the beast that bumped and bounded and rolled,


s: And chased him away from the Shanklin Fair!


s: As he cried, "O, how would you like to learn


s: 'Twas a churn, and that I was in the churn!"


s: Then the wolf exclaimed, "I hate your tricks,


s: Your bolted door and your house of bricks!


s: And just as the wolf came down the flue,


s: Scraping his ribs as he slipped through,


s: And he mused to himself, "I'm half inclined


s: To think, by the hair of my chinny, chin, chin,


s: That _this_ is the best way to take wolves in!"


s: A great cat purred and rubbed her dress;


s: Amused, or grieved, she scarce knew which.


s: He hears the bells, he strikes his spurs,


s: And he piles and packs it as hard as he can


s: Are you puttin' stockin's on to the house?"


s: (Found her tongue, has Still-as-a-Mouse.)


s: That keeps you a-shakin' an' shakin' so?"


s: Then the old man, shaking the more, says: "No!


s: But I'm bankin' the house, Miss Locks-o-gold,


s: Folks says the best things 't ever they do


s: Phunny-kind puzzles her queer, wee brain


s: She stands by the clock in the corner, now:


s: "I wonder," she says, "does the old clock know?"


s: The round Full Moon (in his forehead) smiles;


s: But with all his wisdom, or all his wiles,


s: Should he tick and tock till a century old


s: In the great, square room, by a cheerful flame


s: In the fire-place, bending above her frame,


s: Across and across a broad, bright thing.


s: "I'm a-makin' a 'comfort,' my little dear;


s: And we're afeared o' the Sa-archin' Cold."


s: When the daylight fades, and the shadows fall


s: Flickering down from the fire-dogs tall,


s: Comes Uncle Phil, from his school and his books.


s: "Uncle Phil, I know by your smile-y looks--


s: You'll let me--get on your knee--jus' _so_--


s: An' you'll tell me somefing I want to know:


s: 'Cos, you see, Uncle Phil, I've _got_ to be told


s: "Why, yes! to be sure! to be sure, I'll tell


s: For I know the old dame, of old, right well:


s: "Now Jack is a fine old fellow, you see;


s: And sticking 'em on again when he is done;


s: A-pinching at pretty, soft ears and cheeks;


s: A-wakin' folks up with his jolly freaks;


s: "For she comes after, and comes to stay--


s: She plots, and she plans, she sneaks, and she crawls


s: Till she finds a way through the thickest of walls!"


s: "Oh--oo!" cries Phunny-kind, "how does she look?"


s: "To be sure! I'll picture her just like a book.


s: --Her nose--is an icicle, sharp and strong,


s: Her eyes gleam frostily all night long--


s: But who knows whether they're blue or black?


s: Like a blacksmith's bellows, marvellous big;


s: She skre--eels away, in the dark o' the Moon!


s: "But if ever she works with a wicked will,


s: 'Tis when she is quiet, and sly, and still.


s: She pretends that old Jack leaves his work but half done,


s: She '_wishes for once he'd be quit of his fun_!'


s: So she follows him up with her sour, ugly phiz,


s: And wherever she goes, you may know she means 'biz.


s: "Look sharp when she peeps through the crack o' the door!


s: Look sharp when she hides away under the floor!


s: She'll crack the bare ground with a terrible bang!


s: And out from the clap boards the nails will go, spang!


s: "She'll spoil the potatoes (if once she gets in),


s: And she'll shake all the people whose bed-clothes are thin!


s: She'll stop the old clock in the dead o' the night,


s: And make him hold up both his hands in a fright;


s: And heaves a deep sigh; and says, "Are you froo?"


s: Then slides down, quietly, to the floor,


s: She says, "Is my bed got a fing like you said--


s: A 'comfut'--vat I can put over my head?"


s: "(Oh, Phil! naughty boy!)" says grandma;--"yes, dear


s: Your bed's got a 'comfut,' so never you fear--


s: And you should be in it, for see, the old clock


s: Points just to your bed-time, and says 'tick-tock!'"


s: "Well, grampa, I'm goin' as quick as I can,


s: If you'll only give me a handful of 'tan.'


s: "What _for_?" "Oh, I'm jus' goin' to take it to bed,


s: 'Cos, I recollec' every word that you said,


s: And gramma, and Phil; for _all of you told_


s: Tried to teach two young tooters to toot.


s: There lived in ancient Scribbletown a wise old writer-man,


s: Whose name was Homer Cicero Demosthenes McCann.


s: He'd written treatises and themes till, "For a change," he said,


s: "I think I'll write a children's book before I go to bed."


s: He pulled down all his musty tomes in Latin and in Greek;


s: Consulted cyclopædias and manuscripts antique,


s: Essays in Anthropology, studies in counterpoise--


s: He said, "This charming Children's Book is greatly to my credit."


s: With your blushing cheeks and your fluttering curls,


s: With your ribbons gay and your kirtle neat,


s: She scratched around in the sand all day,


s: And then do you know, it happened this way


s: "Why, what do you mean?" cried the old red hen,


s: And none of them scratch with their claws like you,


s: And ever since then, that little red hen,


s: She writes with a jonquil pen, quil pen,


s: She carpets her ceilings and frescos her floors,


s: She eats on her windows and sleeps on her doors.


s: I'm sure that fornever and never was seen


s: So foolish a thing as the Nonsense Queen!


s: She ordered a wig for a blue bottle fly,


s: She makes all the oysters wear emerald rings,


s: And does dozens of other nonsensible things.


s: Oh! the scatterbrained, shatterbrained lady so grand,


s: Thought he'd go for a ride on the trolley;


s: So he went and made mud-pies with Polly.


s: "True," said the prince; "I mind me well--


s: Although our path with danger's fraught,


s: This figure here before you is a Macaroni Man,


s: Who is built, as you may notice, on a most ingenious plan.


s: His skeleton, I beg to state, is made of hairpins three,


s: Which are bent and curved and twisted to a marvellous degree.


s: His coat-sleeves and his trouser-legs, his head and eke his waist


s: And if you care to listen, you may hear the thrilling tale


s: Of the merry Macaroni Man's extraordinary sail.


s: One sunny day he started for a voyage in his yacht,


s: His anxious mother called to him, and said, "You'd better not!


s: Although the sun is shining bright, I fear that it may rain;


s: I will return in time for tea--good-by, my mother  dear."


s: Full merrily he started off, the day was fine and fair,


s: And to his great delight he found no dampness in the air.


s: You know if he gets wet, a Macaroni Man is spoiled,


s: And if he stands too near the steam, of course he may get boiled.


s: He sailed so far that he felt sure he would be late for tea.


s: He sailed, and sailed, and sailed, and sailed,--


s: He tried to turn,--but oh, that steam! it would not do at all!


s: A single puff blew toward him, and it nearly cooked his face!


s: The mournful Macaroni Man felt sadly out of place.


s: I'll reach my home (according to a careful estimate)


s: In time for tea, although I'll be perhaps a trifle late."


s: Then merrily his gallant ship sped o'er the bounding main,


s: Quickly he crossed the ocean wide, he flew by France and Spain;


s: Covered the Mediterranean, spanned the Suez Canal,--


s: (But once, in Oceanica, he feared that he was lost).


s: He passed Australia on the fly,--cut over Capricorn,


s: And as the sunset gun he heard, he swung around Cape Horn.


s: He coasted by the seaboard States. Hurrah! all danger past,


s: "There's a train at 4.04," said Miss Jenny;


s: The figure that stood waiting on the mat.


s: And angry eyes that seemed to flash and glower.


s: And I've called, sir, to demand of you my hour."


s: And the pertinacious puppy spoke with force:


s: So a puppy ought to have an hour, of course!"


s: "The dog days are all gone, I grieve to say;


s: I'll give you just an hour--to get away."


s: How this plan would have worked quite well,


s: Though it seems naught to headstrong youth."


s: And with the bland clerk's courteous aid


s: And spokes that looked like silver wire,


s: When Sir Rat turned toward home at last.


s: And said: "What is that queer-shaped thing?


s: How quickly he'd come out and catch him,


s: Went out for a walk on the public highway.


s: And the sky it was blue, and the grass it was green,


s: The same sky and grass that you've all of you seen;


s: And the birds in the trees sang their usual song,


s: And Triangular Tommy went trudging along.


s: He did just what small boys of his age always do:


s: And he picked a big daisy to stick in his hat;


s: And sometimes he scuffled and sometimes he hopped.


s: He took an old stick and poked at a worm,


s: And merrily chuckled to see the thing squirm;


s: When he chanced to look up, and in gorgeous array


s: Triangular Tom straightened up in a jiff,


s: And put on his best manner--exceedingly stiff;


s: And as far as his angular shape would allow


s: With a glance that was friendly, but just a bit shy.


s: And Tom so admired her that after she passed,


s: A backward look over his shoulder he cast.


s: And he said, "Though I think many girls are but silly,


s: But soon all such thoughts were put out of his head,


s: For who should come by but Triangular Ted,


s: The very boy Tom had been wishing to see!


s: "Hello!" said Triangular Tommy, said he.


s: Those two children scooted to frolic and play.


s: The best game of leap-frog that ever was seen.


s: Triangular Tom beat down this way, you know,


s: And Triangular Ted stood beside him, just so,


s: They played hide-and-seek, they played marbles and tag,


s: They played they were soldiers, and each waved a flag;


s: So they sat down and chatted with laughter and jest;


s: When Schoolmaster Jones they suddenly spied,


s: As usual, with manner quite preoccupied;


s: An occasion the thoughtful old man to annoy,


s: And all of his wise calculations destroy.


s: And across the wide pavement they fastened a twine


s: Exceedingly strong but exceedingly fine;


s: And Triangular Tommy laughed out in his glee,


s: To think how upset the old master would be!


s: Although very wicked, their mischievous scheme


s: Was a perfect success; and with a loud scream,


s: Old Schoolmaster Jones came down with a crash.


s: His hat rolled away, and his spectacles broke,


s: And those dreadful boys thought it a howling good joke.


s: And they just doubled up in immoderate glee,


s: But soon their diversion was turned into awe,


s: For old Schoolmaster Jones was angry, they saw.


s: And far down the street like a reindeer he sped,


s: Leaving Tommy to face the old gentleman's rage,


s: Who quickly jumped up,--he was brisk for his age,--


s: And with just indignation portrayed on his face,


s: To Triangular Tommy he quickly gave chase.


s: Triangular Tommy fast took to his heels.


s: He whizzed through the air--he just seemed to fly;


s: He rushed madly on, until, dreadful to say!


s: He came where the railroad was just in his way--


s: And then with a terrible, sudden ker-thwack!


s: Triangular Tommy sprawled flat on his back--


s: And the train came along with a crash, and a crack,


s: A din, and a clatter, a clang, and a clack,


s: A toot, and a boom, and a roar, and a hiss,


s: And chopped him up all into pieces like this--


s: If _you_ cut out papers just like them, why, then,


s: If you try, you can put him together again.


s: He'll come with his pack of glittering toys,


s: They planned the funniest kind of a joke


s: On the poor, long-suffering mortal folk;


s: His fool's cap close to her flower-crowned head.


s: Then he laughed till he made his cap-bells ring,


s: At the thought of the topsy-turvy Spring.


s: "'Tis a fair exchange," he said, with a wink--


s: "It is!" she said, and what do you think?


s: The flowers that should bloom in the month of May


s: And they looked for April showers in vain,


s: But all through May it did nothing but rain!


s: E is the Eaglet who barred out long words.


s: J is the Jabberwock burbling with flames.


s: K is the King who was whizzed through the air.


s: M, the Mock Turtle, whose tears freely flowed.


s: Unless crocheted of red with yellow spots.


s: Took their blue and white striped mittens


s: To a Bear who lived within a hollow tree;


s: But I fear they are too gay for such as me."


s: And they woke her with this piteous request,


s: I will put them on as soon as I am dressed."


s: And a beautiful mantilla fringed with white;


s: Clapped their paws in admiration at the sight.


s: And only fire is made to work on Independence Day.


s: "I won't stand such injustice! It's wrong, beyond a doubt,


s: And I shall take my holiday. Good-by, I'm going out!"


s: Up spoke a Roman candle then, "The principle is right!


s: Suppose we strike, and all agree we will not work to-night!"


s: My great ancestral musket made Independence Day,


s: I frown on your whole conspiracy, and you are wrong, I say!"


s: And so they talked and they argued, some for and some against,--


s: That to-day is a legal holiday and not even fire should work.


s: "And I am of some importance,"--here he gave a pretentious cough,


s: Suiting the action to the word, the silly little dunce


s: Clambered down from his matchsafe and excitedly struck at once.


s: He lost his head, and he ran around among the fireworks dry,


s: And he cried, "Hurrah for the fireworks' strike! Hurrah for the


s: So the strike of the fireworks ended in a wonderful display


s: Of pyrotechnic grandeur on Independence Day!


s: Once there was a little boy who wouldn't go to bed,


s: When they hinted at the subject he would only shake his head,


s: As their arguments grew stronger, and their attitude more strict,


s: That he wouldn't go to bed for all the nurses in the town.


s: Then Nursey lost her patience, and although it wasn't right,


s: Retorted that for all she cared he might sit up all night.


s: He approved of this arrangement, and he danced a jig for joy,


s: And turned a somersault with glee; he _was_ a naughty boy.


s: And so they all went off to bed and left him sitting there,


s: Right in the corner by the fire in Grandpa's big armchair.


s: He read his books and played his games,--he even sang a song


s: And thought how lovely it would be to sit up all night long.


s: But soon his games grew stupid, and his puzzles wouldn't work;


s: He drew himself up stiffly with a sudden little jerk,


s: And he said, "I am not sleepy, and I love to play alone--


s: And--I--think--" the rest was mumbled in a drowsy monotone.


s: He leaned back on the cushions like that night he had the croup;


s: His head began to wobble and his eyes began to droop;


s: He closed them for a minute, just to see how it would seem,


s: He thought he saw a garden filled with flowers and roses gay,


s: A great big gardener with a hoe came walking down his way;


s: "Ah, ha!" exclaimed the gardener, as he clutched him by the head,


s: He held the boy in one big hand, unheeding how he cried,


s: And with the other dug a hole enormous, deep, and wide.


s: He jammed the little fellow in, and said in gruffest tone,


s: "This is the bed for naughty boys who won't go to their own."


s: And then the dirt was shovelled in,--it covered up his toes,


s: His ankles, knees, and waist and arms, and higher yet it rose.


s: For still the gardener shovelled on, not noticing his cries;


s: It came up to his chin and mouth--it almost reached his eyes;


s: Just then he gathered all his strength and gave an awful scream,


s: And woke himself, and put an end to that terrific dream.


s: And he said, as Nursey tucked him up and bade him snugly rest,


s: "When I am planted in a bed, I like my own the best."


s: Two well-built men, neither giant nor dwarf,


s: I have stores of knowledge packed in my head;


s: I am learned and wise and very well read;


s: I can dance, I can sing, I'm extremely polite;


s: I am worth a large fortune all in my own right.


s: But still,--and this question has caused me much thought,--


s: While I am neglected, you're everywhere sought."


s: Monsieur Elims replied: "My dear sir, that is true,


s: But you see, I am I, and you see, you are you.


s: If I receive praises and you receive blame,


s: 'Tis doubtless because each lives up to his name."


s: You'll find his defence rather puzzling, I fear;


s: But read their names backward--the meaning is clear.


s: "I've a lovely new cup from Uncle John,"


s: "Oho!" laughed Fred. "Why, Dorothy dear,


s: And his pose assume a sad and solemn style;


s: That his customer would kindly try to smile.


s: And his mouth took on a broad and open grin;


s: As it rose up on his forehead in affright;


s: How he could escape this dire and awful plight.


s: And really for a storm I'm not prepared."


s: And the patient Periwinkle stood and stared.


s: Ten Christmas presents standing in a line;


s: Robert took the bicycle, then there were nine.


s: Nine Christmas presents ranged in order straight;


s: Bob took the steam engine, then there were eight.


s: Eight Christmas presents--and one came from Devon;


s: Robbie took the jackknife, then there were seven.


s: Seven Christmas presents direct from St. Nick's;


s: Bobby took the candy box, then there were six.


s: Six Christmas presents, one of them alive;


s: Rob took the puppy dog, then there were five.


s: Five Christmas presents yet on the floor;


s: Bobbin took the soldier cap, then there were four.


s: Four Christmas presents underneath the tree;


s: Bobbet took the writing desk, then there were three.


s: Three Christmas presents still in full view;


s: Robin took the checker board, then there were two.


s: Bobbles took the picture book, then there was one.


s: One Christmas present--and now the list is done;


s: Bobbinet took the sled, and then there were none.


s: And the same happy child received every toy,


s: "To think of those poor little English boys


s: Said, "I think that the thing can be done,


s: And though they play with cats and dogs,


s: And sail their boats and fly their kites,


s: His cheeks were red, his eyes were blue,


s: You'll know of course before you're told


s: But as the giants were strong and great,


s: He rolled and rolled and rolled and rolled,


s: And I know the day will be fine and fair


s: Or I know the clouds will frown and lower,


s: And perhaps there'll be a passing shower,


s: But they all talk such barbarous lingo."


s: Till he learned to sing "Eileen Alanna."


s: For his home in the sea, which was moister.


s: They caught her and killed her and canned her.


s: For he wiped his feet clean on the scraper.


s: And straightway he sailed for Cape Horn.


s: There lived a wondrous sculptor once, a genius in his way,


s: He sat within his studio and said, "I really must


s: Begin a Rhodian anaglyptic ceroplastic bust.


s: "My customers demand them, their fame rings near and far,


s: But then, alas, the trouble is, I don't know what they are.


s: Though I could carve a Venus or a Belvedere with ease,


s: My wondrous skill is lacking when it comes to carving these.


s: "I cast and cut and chisel, I model and I mould,


s: I copy poses picturesque from studies new and old;


s: In marble, bronze, and potter's clay, in wax and wood and stone


s: I carve the old-time statues with improvements of my own.


s: "I have Apollo on a horse, Minerva on a wheel,


s: Hercules going fishing with his basket and his creel.


s: A Mercury on roller-skates, Diana with a hat,


s: And Venus playing tennis with Achilles at the bat.


s: "Yet these my customers pass by, and ask with interest keen,


s: For I cannot do an anaglyptic ceroplastic bust."


s: The Beetle was blind, and the Bat was blinder,


s: And they went to take tea with the Scissors-grinder.


s: But he'd tied his bell to the grapevine swing.


s: And neither the Beetle nor Bat could see


s: So, polite and patient, they're waiting yet


s: "And of course, though the weather is warm,


s: A Spider and a Centipede went out to take a walk;


s: The Centipede said frankly, "I will listen while you talk,


s: But I may appear distracted, or assume a vacant stare,


s: Because to keep my feet in step requires my constant care."


s: Said the Spider: "I appreciate your most peculiar case,


s: And your feet must be quite handy when you want to run a race;


s: But though you gain in some ways, in some other ways you lose;


s: "Ah! yes. Ah! yes," a heavy sigh escaped the Centipede;


s: "And I have other trials, too;--my life is hard indeed!


s: Why, sometimes when I'm very tired, a long, long time it takes


s: To ascertain with certainty which foot it is that aches.


s: "And when I go to dancing-class on Saturdays at three,


s: I find the First Position very difficult for me.


s: Though I put my best foot foremost, and good time I try to keep,


s: To my chagrin, I often find a foot or two asleep.


s: Athletics I attempted, but, alas! I must admit


s: That every exercise I tried I put my foot in it.


s: I think I'll join a foot-ball team,--as many friends suggest,--


s: Before I've one foot in the grave and gout in all the rest.


s: But now I'll say good-morning; for, my friend, I have to stop


s: To get my boots blacked neatly at this little boot-black's shop;


s: And, as you may imagine, it will keep me here some time,


s: The Spider said good-morning, and pursued his way alone,


s: And as he went he murmured, in a thoughtful undertone:


s: "I'm a happy little Spider, and I'm very glad indeed,


s: That I was born an octoped and not a centipede!"


s: Our Bobby is a little boy, of six years old, or so;


s: And every kind of rubbish in his pocket he will stow.


s: One day he thought he'd empty it (so he again could stock it);


s: And here's an alphabet of what was found in Bobby's pocket.


s: A was a rosy Apple, with some bites out, here and there;


s: B was a bouncing rubber Ball that bounded in the air.


s: C was a crispy crusty Cake with citron on the top;


s: D was a dancing Donkey that could jump around and hop.


s: E was a little robin's Egg, all speckled blue and brown;


s: F was a fluffy Feather that was white and soft as down.


s: G was a lively Grasshopper, whose legs and wings were green;


s: H was a grimy Handkerchief that once perhaps was clean.


s: I was a plaster Image that had lost its plaster head;


s: J was a jolly Jumping-Jack all painted blue and red.


s: K was a keen and shining Knife, 'twould cut the toughest bark;


s: L was a little wooden Lion, strayed out of Noah's Ark.


s: M was a Marble, large and round, with colors bright and clear;


s: N was a bent and rusty Nail, of little use, I fear.


s: O was a tiny Oil-can, which was always upside down;


s: P was a Penny Bob had saved to spend some day in town.


s: Q was a Quilted ear-tab, which had lost its velvet mate;


s: R was a Ring with a glassy gem of wondrous size and weight.


s: S was a String, a piece of Soap, a Stone, a Sponge, a Stick;


s: T was a lump of Taffy, exceeding soft and thick.


s: U, an Umbrella-handle, of silver-mounted horn;


s: V was a comic Valentine, a little creased and worn.


s: W was some sticky Wax, lovely to pinch and mould;


s: X was an old Xpress receipt, worn out in every fold.


s: Y was a lot of Yellow Yarn, all bunched up like a mop;


s: Z was a jagged piece of Zinc, found in a plumber's shop.


s: All these are Bob's possessions; he loves every single thing;


s: And owning all these treasures he's as happy as a King!


s: There was a youthful genius once, a boy of thirteen years,


s: To study he was not inclined, for fun he had a bent;


s: But there was just one article he wanted to invent.


s: "It's a sort of a contraption which will work itself," he said,


s: "And, without studying, will put my lessons in my head."


s: Until at last the thing was done, and to his friends said he:


s: "It is the wonder of the age! Success I can foresee!


s: My great invention is complete, and--'tis no idle vaunt--


s: I'm sure that my Instructiphone will fill a long-felt want.


s: "The action is quite simple--I will try to make it clear:


s: This funnel-shaped receiver I apply to my left ear;


s: Then in this hopper I will put whate'er I wish to learn--


s: A page of history or of Greek,--and then this crank I'll turn.


s: "The topic goes into this tube, a sort of phonograph


s: Which acts directly on my mind,--it _does_, you needn't laugh!


s: I do not have to think at all, for, as I pull this chain,


s: My wonderful machine transmits the knowledge to my brain."


s: The plan was good, the works were fine, and yet there was a flaw;


s: The knowledge entered his right ear--and came out at his left.


s: He tried again,--a page of Greek; he tried a theme occult,--


s: A message and an errand,--every time the same result!


s: Then Cyrus knew that somehow his machine had missed its aim;


s: For though the works ran smoothly it was always just the same.


s: No matter what the book might be, or what it was about,


s: It would go in at one ear,--at the other 'twould come out!


s: So in his laboratory, baffled Cyrus sitting lone,


s: Strives to correct the sad defect in his Instructiphone.


s: But it is my opinion, there's no fault in the machine:


s: The trouble is that Cyrus is like other boys I've seen.


s: She had wonderful eyes and glorious hair,


s: And rang with the praise of the Lady Lorraine.


s: And besides all charms of form and face,


s: There were other attractions about Her Grace;


s: She had rolling acres and broad, rich lands;


s: She had far-reaching forests and fertile farms;


s: They came by the dozen, and came by the score.


s: They came in droves, and they came in hordes,


s: Dukes and marquises, viscounts and peers,


s: Ambassadors, marshals, grandees, grenadiers,


s: Barons and baronets, earls, and esquires,


s: The heart and the hand of the Lady Lorraine.


s: Decidedly, certainly, stubbornly, "Nay!"


s: She cared not for wreaths of laurel or bay,


s: Their titles or rent rolls or uniforms gay,


s: Their medals or ribbons or gaudy display,