第2章

TheBottleTreebloomethbynightandbyday!

Heigh—hoforWinkywayland!

AndBottle—Treefruit(asI’veheardpeoplesay)

MakesbelliesofBottle—Treebabiesexpand—

AndthatisatrickIwouldfainunderstand!

Heigh—hoforabottleto—day!

Andheigh—hoforabottleto—night—

Abottleofmilkthatiscreamyandwhite!

Socuddlemeclose,andcuddlemefast,Andcuddlemesnuginmycradleaway,ForIhungerandthirstforthatpreciousrepast—

Heigh—hoforabottle,Isay!

GOOGLY—GO0

Ofmornings,brightandearly,WhenthelarkisonthewingAndtherobininthemapleHopsfromhernesttosing,FromyondercheerychamberComethamellowcoo—

’Tisthesweet,persuasivetrebleOfmylittleGoogly—Goo!

Thesunbeamshearhismusic,Andtheyseekhislittlebed,AndtheydancetheirprettiestdancesRoundhisgoldencurlyhead:

Schottisches,galops,minuets,Gavottesandwaltzes,too,DancetheyuntothemusicOfmygooglingGoogly—Goo。

Myheart—myheartitleapethTohearthattrebletone;

Whatmusiclikethymusic,Mydarlingandmineown!

Andpatiently—yes,cheerfullyItoilthelongdaythrough—

MylaborseemethlightenedBythesongofGoogly—Goo!

Imaynotseehisantics,Norkisshisdimpledcheek:

ImaynotsmooththetressesThesunbeamslovetoseek;

Itmatterethnot—theechoOfhissweet,persuasivecooRecurrethtoremindmeOfmylittleGoogly—Goo。

AndwhenIcomeatevening,IstandwithoutthedoorAndpatientlyIlistenForthatdearsoundoncemore;

AndoftentimesIwonder,\"Oh,God!whatshouldIdoIfanyillshouldhappenTomylittleGoogly—Goo!\"

TheninaffrightIcallhim—

Ihearhisgleefulshouts!

Begone,yedreadforebodings—

Begone,yekillingdoubts!

For,withmyarmsabouthim,MyheartwarmsthroughandthroughWiththeooglingandthegooglingOfmylittleGoogly—Goo!

THEBENCH—LEGGEDFYCE

Speakin’ofdorgs,mybench—leggedfyceHedmosto’thevirtues,an’naryavice。

SomefolkscalledhimSooner,anamethataroseFromhispredispositiontochronicrepose;

But,rousehisambition,hecouldn’tbebeat—

Yerbetyerhegottharonallhisfourfeet!

Mos’dorgshezsomeforte—likehuntin’an’such,Butthesportso’thefielddidn’tbotherhimmuch;

Wuzjustaplaindorg,an’contentedtobeOnpeaceabletermswiththeneighborsan’me;

Usedtofiddlean’squirm,andgrunt\"Oh,hownice!\"

WhenItickledthebackofthatbench—leggedfyce!

Hewuzlonginthebar’l,likeafyceoughterbe;

Hiscolorwuzyalleraseveryousee;

Histail,curlin’upward,wuzlong,loose,an’slim—

Whenhedidn’twagit,why,thetailitwaggedhim!

Hislegswuzsocrooked,mybench—leggedpupWuzastallsettin’downashewuzstandin’up!

He’dliebythestoveofanightan’regretThevariousvittlesan’thingshehadet;

Whenastranger,mostlikelyatramp,comealong,He’dliftuphisvoiceinsignificantsong—

Youwondered,bygum!howthereeverwuzspaceInthatbosomo’his’ntoholdsomuchbass!

Ofdaytimeshe’dsneaktotheroadan’liedown,An’tacklethecountrydorgscomin’totown;

BycommonconsenthewuzbossinSt。Joe,Forwhathetookholdofheneverletgo!

An’adudethatcomecourtin’ourgirlleftasliceOfhiswhiteflannelsuitwithourbench—leggedfyce!

Hewuzgoodtouskids—whenwepulledathisfurOrtwistedhistailhewouldneverdemur;

Heseemedtoenjoyallourplayan’ourchaff,Forhistongue’u’dhangoutan’he’dlaffan’he’dlaff;

An’once,whentheHobartboyfellthroughtheice,Hewuzdrugcleanashorebythatbench—leggedfyce!

Weallhevourchoice,an’you,liketherest,Allowthatthedorgwhichyou’vegotisthebest;

Iwouldn’tgivemuchfortheboy’atgrowsupWithnofriendshipsubsistin’’tweenhiman’apup!

Whenafellowgitsold—Itellyouit’sniceTothinkofhisyouthandhisbench—leggedfyce!

Tothinkofthespringtime’waybackinSt。Joe—

Ofthepeach—treesablooman’thedaisiesablow;

Tothinkoftheplayinthemedderan’grove,Whenlittlelegswrassledan’littlehan’sstrove;

Tothinkoftheloyalty,valor,an’truthOfthefriendshipsthathallowtheseasonofyouth!

LITTLEMISSBRAG

LittleMissBraghasmuchtosayTotherichlittleladyfromoverthewayAndtherichlittleladyputsoutalipAsshelooksatherownwhite,daintyslip,AndwishesthatshecouldwearagownAsprettyasginghamoffadedbrown!

ForlittleMissBragshelaysmuchstressOntheprivilegesofaginghamdress—

\"Aha,Oho!\"

TherichlittleladyfromoverthewayHasbeautifuldollsinvastarray;

Yetsheenviestheraggedyhome—madedollShehearsourlittleMissBragextol。

FortheraggedydollcanfearnohurtFromwet,orheat,ortumble,ordirt!

Hernoseisinked,andhermouthis,too,Andoneeye’sblackandtheother’sblue—

\"Aha,Oho!\"

TherichlittleladygoesouttorideWithfootmenstandingupoutside,Yetwishesthat,sometimes,afterdarkHerfatherwouldtrundleherinthepark;—

That,sometimes,hermotherwouldsingthethingsLittleMissBragsayshermothersingsWhenthroughtheatticwindowstreamsThemoonlightfullofgoldendreams—

\"Aha,Oho!\"

Yes,littleMissBraghasmuchtosayTotherichlittleladyfromovertheway;

AndyetwhoknowsbutfromherheartOftenthebittersighsupstart—

UprisetolosetheirburnandstingInthegraceofthetonguethatlovestosingPraiseofthetreasuresallitsown!

SoI’vecometolovethattrebletone—

\"Aha,Oho!\"

THEHUMMINGTOP

Thetopithummethasweet,sweetsongTomydearlittleboyatplay—

Merrilysingethalldaylong,Asitspinnethandspinnethaway。

AndmydearlittleboyHelaughethwithjoyWhenheheareththemonotoneOfthatbusythingThatlovethtosingThesongthatisallitsown。

Holdfastthestringandwindittight,Thatthesongbeloudandclear;

NowhurlthetopwithallyourmightUponthebanquettehere;

AndstraightfromthestringThejoyousthingBoundethandspinnethalong,AnditwhirrsanditchirrsAnditbirrsanditpurrsEveritsprettysong。

Willevermydearlittleboygrowold,Assomehavegrownbefore?

Willeverhisheartfeelfaintandcold,Whenheheareththesongsofyore?

WilleverthistoyOfmydearlittleboy,Whentheyearshavewornaway,SingsadandlowOfthelongago,Asitsingethtometo—day?

LADYBUTTON—EYES

Whenthebusydayisdone,AndmywearylittleoneRockethgentlytoandfro;

Whenthenightwindssoftlyblow,AndthecricketsintheglenChirpandchirpandchirpagain;

WhenuponthehauntedgreenFairiesdancearoundtheirqueen—

ThenfromyondermistyskiesComethLadyButton—Eyes。

ThroughthemurkandmistandgloamToourquiet,cozyhome,Wheretosinging,sweetandlow,Rocksacradletoandfro;

Wheretheclock’sdullmonotoneTellethofthedaythat’sdone;

Wherethemoonbeamshovero’erPlaythingssleepingonthefloor—

WheremywearyweeoneliesComethLadyButton—Eyes。

ComethlikeafleetingghostFromsomedistanteeriecoast;

NeverfootfallcanyouhearAsthatspiritfarethnear—

Neverwhisper,neverwordFromthatshadow—queenisheard。

Inetherealraimentdight,FromtherealmoffayandspriteInthedepthofyonderskiesComethLadyButton—Eyes。

LayethsheherhandsuponMydearwearylittleone,AndthosewhitehandsoverspreadLikeaveilthecurlyhead,SeemtofondleandcaressEverylittlesilkentress;

ThenshesmoothstheeyelidsdownOverthosetwoeyesofbrown—

Insuchsoothing,tenderwiseComethLadyButton—Eyes。

Dearest,feeluponyourbrowThatcaressingmagicnow;

ForthecricketsintheglenChirpandchirpandchirpagain,WhileuponthehauntedgreenFairiesdancearoundtheirqueen,Andthemoonbeamshovero’erPlaythingssleepingonthefloor—

Hush,mysweet!fromyonderskiesComethLadyButton—Eyes!

THERIDETOBUMPVILLE

PlaythatmykneewasacalicomareSaddledandbridledforBumpville;

Leaptothebackofthissteed,ifyoudare,AndgallopawaytoBumpville!

Ihopeyou’llbesuretositfastinyourseat,Forthiscalicomareisprodigiouslyfleet,Andmanyadventuresyou’relikelytomeetAsyoujourneyalongtoBumpville。

ThiscalicomarebothgallopsandtrotsWhilewhiskingyouofftoBumpville;

Shepaces,sheshies,andshestumbles,inspots,InthetortuousroadtoBumpville;

AndsometimesthisstrangelymercurialsteedWillsuddenlystopandrefusetoproceed,Which,allwilladmit,isvexatiousindeed,WhenoneisenroutetoBumpville!

She’sscaredofthecarswhentheenginegoes\"Toot!\"

DownbythecrossingatBumpville;

You’dbetterlookoutforthattreacherousbruteBearingyouofftoBumpville!

Withasnortsherearsuponherhindermostheels,AndexecutesjigsandVirginiareels—

WordsfailtoexplainhowembarrassedonefeelsDancingsowildlytoBumpville!

It’sbumpytybumpandit’sjiggytyjog,JourneyingontoBumpvilleIt’soverthehilltopanddownthroughthebogYourideonyourwaytoBumpville;

It’srattletybangoverboulderandstump,Thereareriverstoford,therearefencestojump,Andthecorduroyroaditgoesbumpytybump,Mileaftermiletobumpville!

Perhapsyou’llobserveit’snoeasythingMakingthejourneytoBumpville,SoIthink,onthewhole,itwereprudenttobringAnendtothisridetoBumpville;

For,thoughshehasutterednoprotestorplaint,Thecalicomaremustbeblowingandfaint—

What’smoretothepoint,I’mblowedifIain’t!

SoplaywehavegottoBumpville!

THEBROOK

Ilookedinthebrookandsawaface—

Heigh—ho,butachildwasI!

Therewererushesandwillowsinthatplace,Andtheyclutchedatthebrookasthebrookranby;

Andthebrookitranitsownsweetway,Asachilddothruninheedlessplay,AndasitranIhearditsay:

\"HastenwithmeTotheroisteringseaThatiswrothwiththeflameofthemorningsky!\"

Ilookinthebrookandseeaface—

Heigh—ho,buttheyearsgoby!

Therushesaredeadintheold—timeplace,AndthewillowsIknewwhenachildwasI。

Andthebrookitseemethtometosay,Aseveritstealethonitsway—

Solemnlynow,andnotinplay:

\"Oh,comewithmeTotheslumbrousseaThatisgraywiththepeaceoftheeveningsky!\"

Heigh—ho,buttheyearsgoby—

IwouldtoGodthatachildwereI!

PICNIC—TIME

It’sJuneag’in,an’inmysoulIfeelthefillin’joyThat’ssuretocomethistimeo’yeartoeverylittleboy;

For,everyJune,theSunday—schoolsatpicnicsmaybeseen,Where\"fieldsbeyonttheswellin’floodsstanddressedinlivin’green\";

Wherelittlegirlsareskeeredtodeathwithspiders,bugs,andants,An’littleboysgetgrass—stainsontheirgo—tomeetin’pants。

It’sJuneag’in,an’withitallwhathappinessismine—

There’sgoin’tobeapicnic,an’I’mgoin’tojine!

OneyearIjinedtheBaptists,an’goodness!howitrained!

(Butgrampasaysthatthat’stheway\"baptizo\"isexplained。)

AndonceIjinedthe’Piscopilsan’hadaheapo’fun—

ButthebossofallthepicnicswasthePresbyteriun!

Theyhadsomanypuddin’s,sallids,sandwidges,an’pies,Thatafellerwishthisstummickwasashungryashiseyes!

Oh,yes,theeatin’PresbyteriunsgiveyerissofineThatwhentheyhaveapicnic,youbetI’mgoin’tojine!

ButatthistimetheMethodistshavespecialclaimsonme,Forthey’regoin’togiveapicniconthe21st,D。V。;

WhyshouldaliberaluniversalistlikemeobjectTosharethejoysoffellowshipwitheveryfriendlysect?

Howeverhet’rodoxtheirarticlesoffaithelsewisemaybe,Theirdoctrineoffriedchick’nisasavin’gracetome!

Soonthe21stofJune,theweatherbein’fine,They’regoin’togiveapicnic,andI’mgoin’tojine!

SHUFFLE—SHOONANDAMBER—LOCKS

Shuffle—shoonandAmber—LocksSittogether,buildingblocks;

Shuffle—Shoonisoldandgray,Amber—Locksalittlechild,ButtogetherattheirplayAgeandYoutharereconciled,AndwithsympatheticgleeBuildtheircastlesfairtosee。

\"WhenIgrowtobeaman\"

(Sotheweeone’sprattleran),\"Ishallbuildacastleso—

Withagatewaybroadandgrand;

Hereaprettyvineshallgrow,Thereasoldierguardshallstand;

Andthetowershallbesohigh,Folkswillwonder,byandby!\"

Shuffle—Shoonquoth:\"Yes,Iknow;

ThusIbuildedlongago!

Hereagateandthereawall,Hereawindow,thereadoor;

HereasteeplewondroustallRisethevermoreandmore!

ButtheyearshaveleveledlowWhatIbuildedlongago!\"

Sotheygossipattheirplay,Heedlessofthefleetingday;

OnespeaksoftheLongAgoWherehisdeadhopesburiedlie;

OnewithchubbycheeksaglowPrattlethoftheByandBy;

Sidebyside,theybuildtheirblocks—

Shuffle—ShoonandAmber—Locks。

THESHUT—EYETRAIN

Come,mylittleone,withme!

TherearewondroussightstoseeAstheeveningshadowsfall;

Inyourprettycapandgown,Don’tdetainTheShut—Eyetrain—

\"Ting—a—ling!\"thebellitgoeth,\"Toot—toot!\"thewhistlebloweth,Andwehearthewarningcall:

\"AllaboardforShut—EyeTown!\"

OverhillandoverplainSoonwillspeedtheShut—Eyetrain!

ThroughthebluewherebloomthestarsAndtheMotherMoonlooksdownWe’llawayTolandofFay—

Oh,thesightsthatweshallseethere!

Come,mylittleone,withmethere—

’Tisagoodlytrainofcars—

AllaboardforShut—EyeTown!

Swifterthanawildbird’sflight,ThroughtherealmsoffleecylightWeshallspeedandspeedaway!

LettheNightinenvyfrown—

WhatcareweHowwrothshebe!

TotheBalow—landaboveus,TotheBalow—folkwholoveus,Letushastenwhilewemay—

AllaboardforShut—EyeTown!

Shut—EyeTownispassingfair—

Goldendreamsawaitusthere;

Weshalldreamthosedreams,mydear,TilltheMotherMoongoesdown—

SeeunfoldDelightsuntold!

AndinthosemysteriousplacesWeshallseebelovedfacesAndbelovedvoiceshearInthegraceofShut—EyeTown。

Heavyareyoureyes,mysweet,Wearyareyourlittlefeet—

NestlecloseruptomeInyourprettycapandgown;

Don’tdetainTheShut—Eyetrain!

\"Ting—a—ling!\"thebellitgoeth,\"Toot—toot!\"thewhistleblowethOh,thesightsthatweshallsee!

AllaboardforShut—EyeTown!

LITTLE—OHDEAR

See,whatawonderfulgardenishere,PlantedandtrimmedformyLittle—Oh—Dear!

Posiessogaudyandgrassofsuchbrown—

SearchyethecountryandhuntyethetownAndneverye’llmeetwithagardensoqueerAsthisoneI’vemadeformyLittle—Oh—Dear!

Marigoldswhiteandbuttercupsblue,Liliesalldabbledwithhoneyanddew,Thecactusthattrailsovertrellisandwall,Rosesandpansiesandviolets—allMakeproperobeisanceandreverentcheerWhenintohergardenstepsLittle—Oh—Dear。

Andupatthetopofthatlavender—treeAsilver—birdsingethasonlycanshe;

For,everandonly,shesingeththesong\"Iloveyou—Iloveyou!\"thehappydaylong;—

Thentheecho—theechothatsmitethmehere!

\"Iloveyou,Iloveyou,\"myLittle—Oh—Dear!

Thegardenmaywither,thesilver—birdfly—

Butwhatcarethmylittleprecious,orI?

FromherpathwayofflowersthatinspringtimeupstartShewalkeththetendererwayinmyheartAnd,oh,itisalwaysthesummer—timehereWiththatsongof\"Iloveyou,\"myLittle—Oh—Dear!

THEFLY—AWAYHORSE

Oh,awonderfulhorseistheFly—AwayHorse—

Perhapsyouhaveseenhimbefore;

Perhaps,whileyouslept,hisshadowhassweptThroughthemoonlightthatfloatsonthefloor。

Forit’sonlyatnight,whenthestarstwinklebright,ThattheFly—AwayHorse,withaneighAndapullathisreinandatossofhismane,Isuponhisheelsandaway!

TheMooninthesky,Ashegallopethby,Cries:\"Oh!whatamarveloussight!\"

AndtheStarsindismayHidetheirfacesawayInthelapofoldGrandmotherNight。

Itisyonder,outyonder,theFly—AwayHorseSpeedetheverandeveraway—

Overmeadowsandlanes,overmountainsandplains,Overstreamletsthatsingattheirplay;

Andoverthesealikeaghostsweepethhe,Whiletheshipstheygosailingbelow,AndhespeedethsofastthatthemenatthemastAdjudgehimsomeportentofwoe。

\"Whathothere!\"theycry,AsheflourishesbyWithawhiskofhisbeautifultail;

AndthefishintheseaAreasscaredascanbe,Fromthenautilusuptothewhale!

AndtheFly—AwayHorseseeksthosefarawaylandsYoulittlefolkdreamofatnight—

Wherecandy—treesgrow,andhoney—brooksflow,Andcorn—fieldswithpopcornarewhite;

AndthebeastsinthewoodareeversogoodTochildrenwhovisitthemthere—

Whatgloryastrideofaliontoride,Ortowrestlearoundwithabear!

Themonkeys,theysay:

\"Comeon,letusplay,\"

Andtheyfriskinthecocoanut—trees:

Whiletheparrots,thatclingTothepeanut—vines,singOrconversewithcomparativeease!

Off!scampertobed—youshallridehimtonight!

For,assoonasyou’vefallenasleep,WithajubilantneighheshallbearyouawayOverforestandhillsideanddeep!

Buttellus,mydear,allyouseeandyouhearInthosebeautifullandsoverthere,WheretheFly—AwayHorsewingshisfarawaycourseWiththeweeoneconsignedtohiscare。

ThengrandmawillcryInamazement:\"Oh,my!\"

Andshe’llthinkitcouldneverbeso;

AndonlywetwoShallknowitistrue—

YouandI,littleprecious!shallknow!

SWINGHIGHANDSWINGLOW

SwinghighandswinglowWhilethebreezestheyblow—

It’soffforasailorthyfatherwouldgo;

Andit’shereintheharbor,insightofthesea,Hehathlefthisweebabewithmysongandwithme:

\"SwinghighandswinglowWhilethebreezestheyblow!\"

SwinghighandswinglowWhilethebreezestheyblow—

It’sohforthewaitingaswearydaysgo!

Andit’sohfortheheartachethatsmitethmewhenIsingmysongoverandoveragain:

\"SwinghighandswinglowWhilethebreezestheyblow!\"

\"Swinghighandswinglow\"—

Theseasingethso,Anditwailethanoninitsebbanditsflow;

AndasleepersleepsontothatsongoftheseaNorreckethheeverofmineorofme!

\"SwinghighandswinglowWhilethebreezestheyblow—

’Twasoffforasailorthyfatherwouldgo!\"

WHENIWASABOY

UpintheatticwhereIsleptWhenIwasaboy,alittleboy,Inthroughthelatticethemoonlightcrept,BringingatideofdreamsthatsweptOverthelow,redtrundle—bed,Bathingthetangledcurlyhead,Whilemoonbeamsplayedathide—and—seekWiththedimplesonthesun—brownedcheek—

WhenIwasaboy,alittleboy!

And,oh!thedreams—thedreamsIdreamed!

WhenIwasaboy,alittleboy!

ForthegracethatthroughthelatticestreamedOvermyfoldedeyelidsseemedTohavethegiftofprophecy,AndtobringmeglimpsesoftimestobeWhenmanhood’sclarionseemedtocall—

Ah!thatwasthesweetestdreamofall,WhenIwasaboy,alittleboy!

I’dliketosleepwhereIusedtosleepWhenIwasaboy,alittleboy!

Forinatthelatticethemoonwouldpeep,BringinghertideofdreamstosweepThecrossesandgriefsoftheyearsawayFromtheheartthatiswearyandfaintto—day;

AndthosedreamsshouldgivemebackagainApeaceIhaveneverknownsincethen—

WhenIwasaboy,alittleboy!

ATPLAY

Playthatyouaremotherdear,Andplaythatpapaisyourbeau;

Playthatwesitinthecornerhere,Justasweusedto,longago。

Playingso,weloverstwoArejustashappyaswecanbe,AndI’llsay\"Iloveyou\"toyou,Andyousay\"Iloveyou\"tome!

\"Iloveyou\"webothshallsay,Allinearnestandallinplay。

Or,playthatyouarethatotheroneThatsometimecame,andwentaway;

AndplaythatthelightofyearsagoneStoleintomyheartagainto—day!

PlayingthatyouaretheoneIknewInthedaysthatneveragainmaybe,I’llsay\"Iloveyou\"toyou,Andyousay\"Iloveyou\"tome!

Iloveyou!\"myheartshallsayTotheghostofthepastcomebackto—day!

Or,playthatyousoughtthisnestling—placeForyourownsweetself,withthatdualguiseOfyourprettymotherinyourfaceAndthelookofthatotherinyoureyes!

SothedearoldlovesshallliveanewAsIholdmydarlingonmyknee,AndI’llsay\"Iloveyou\"toyou,Andyousay\"Iloveyou\"tome!

Oh,manyastrange,truethingwesayAnddowhenwepretendtoplay!

AVALENTINE

Go,Cupid,andmysweethearttellIloveherwell。

Yes,thoughshetramplesonmyheartAndrendsthatbleedingthingapart;

AndthoughsherollsascornfuleyeOndotingmewhenIgoby;

AndthoughshescoutsateverythingAstributeuntoherIbring—

Apple,banana,caramel—

Haste,Cupid,tomyloveandtell,Inspiteofall,Iloveherwell!

AndfurthersayIhaveasledCushionedinblueandpaintedred!

ThegrocerymanhaspromisedI

Can\"hitch\"wheneverhegoesby—

Go,tellherthat,and,furthermore,ApprisemysweetheartthatascoreOfotherlittlegirlsimploreTheboonofridingonthatsledPaintedandhitched,asaforesaid;—

Andtellher,Cupid,onlysheShallrideuponthatsledwithme!

Tellherthisall,andfurthertellIloveherwell。

LITTLEALL—ALONEY

LittleAll—Aloney’sfeetPitter—patterinthehall,AndhismotherrunstomeetAndtokisshertoddlingsweet,Ereperchancehefall。

Heis,oh,soweakandsmall!

YetwhatdangershallhefearWhenhismotherhoverethnear,Andhehearshercheeringcall:

\"All—Aloney\"?

LittleAll—Aloney’sfaceItisallaglowwithglee,Asaroundthatromping—placeAtaterrifyingpaceLungeth,plungethhe!

AndthatheroseemstobeAllunconsciousofourcheers—

OnlyonedearvoicehehearsCallingreassuringly:

\"All—Aloney!\"

Thoughhislegsbendwiththeirload,ThoughhisfeettheyseemsosmallThatyoucannothelpforebodeSomedisastrousepisodeInthatnoisyhall,NeitherthreateningbumpnorfallLittleAll—Aloneyfears,ButwithsweetbravadosteersWhithercomesthatcheerycall:

\"All—Aloney!\"

Ah,thatintheyearstocome,WhenhesharesofSorrow’sstore,—

Whenhisfeetarechillandnumb,Whenhiscrossisburdensome,Andhisheartissore:

WouldthathecouldhearoncemoreThegentlevoiceheusedtohear—

Divinewithmotherloveandcheer—

Callingfromyonderspiritshore:

\"All,allalone!\"

SEEIN’THINGS

Iain’tafearduvsnakes,ortoads,orbugs,orworms,ormice,An’things’atgirlsareskeereduvIthinkareawfulnice!

I’mprettybrave,Iguess;an’yetIhatetogotobed,For,whenI’mtuckedupwarman’snugan’whenmyprayersaresaid,Mothertellsme\"Happydreams!\"andtakesawaythelight,An’leavesmelyin’allalonean’seein’thingsatnight!

Sometimesthey’reinthecorner,sometimesthey’rebythedoor,Sometimesthey’realla—standin’inthemiddleuvthefloor;

Sometimestheyarea—sittin’down,sometimesthey’rewalkin’roundSosoftlyan’socreepyliketheynevermakeasound!

Sometimestheyareasblackasink,an’othertimesthey’rewhite—

Butthecolorain’tnodifferencewhenyouseethingsatnight!

Once,whenIlickedafeller’athadjustmovedonourstreet,An’fathersentmeuptobedwithoutabitetoeat,Iwokeupinthedarkan’sawthingsstandin’inarow,A—lookin’atmecross—eyedan’p’intin’atme—so!

Oh,my!IwuzsoskeeredthattimeIneverslep’amite—

It’salmostalluzwhenI’mbadIseethingsatnight!

LuckythingIain’tagirl,orI’dbeskeeredtodeath!

Bein’I’maboy,Iduckmyheadan’holdmybreath;

An’Iam,oh!sosorryI’manaughtyboy,an’thenIpromisetobebetteran’Isaymyprayersagain!

Gran’matellsmethat’stheonlywaytomakeitrightWhenafellerhasbeenwickedan’seesthingsatnight!

An’so,whenothernaughtyboyswouldcoaxmeintosin,ItrytoskwushtheTempter’svoice’aturgesmewithin;

An’whenthey’spieforsupper,orcakes’at’sbigan’nice,Iwantto—butIdonotpassmyplatef’rthemthingstwice!

No,rutherletStarvationwipemeslowlyouto’sightThanIshouldkeepa—livin’onan’seein’thingsatnight!

THECUNNIN’LITTLETHING

Whenbabywakesofmornings,Thenit’swake,yepeopleall!

ForanotherdayOfsongandplayHascomeatourdarling’scall!

And,tillshegetsherdinner,Shemakesthewelkinring,Andshewon’tkeepstilltillshe’shadherfill—

Thecunnin’littlething!

Whenbabygoesa—walking,Oh,howherpaddiesfly!

Forthat’sthewayThebabiessayTootherfolk\"by—by\";

Thetreesbenddowntokissher,Andthebirdsinrapturesing,Asthereshestandsandwavesherhands—

Thecunnin’littlething!

Whenbabygoesa—rockingInherbedatcloseofday,Athide—and—seekOnherdaintycheekThedreamsandthedimplesplay;

Thenit’ssleepinthetenderkissesTheguardianangelsbringFromtheFarAbovetomysweetestlove—

Youcunnin’littlething!

THEDOLL’SWOOING

ThelittleFrenchdollwasadearlittledollTrickedoutinthesweetestofdresses;

HereyeswereofhueAmostdelicateblueAnddarkasthenightwerehertresses;

Herdearlittlemouthwasflutedandred,AndthislittleFrenchdollwassoverywellbredThatwheneveraccostedherlittlemouthsaid\"Mamma!mamma!\"

Thestockinetdoll,withonearmandoneleg,Hadoncebeenahandsomeyoungfellow;

ButnowheappearedRatherfrowzyandblearedInhistornregimentalsofyellow;

YethisheartgaveacuriousthumpashelayInthelittletoycartnearthewindowonedayAndheardthesweetvoiceofthatFrenchdollysay:

\"Mamma!mamma!\"

HelistenedsolongandhelistenedsohardThatanonhegreweversotender,Forit’severywhereknownThatthefemininetoneGetsawaywithallmasculinegender!

HeupandhewooedherwithsoldierlyzestButallshe’dreplytotheloveheprofessedWeretheseplaintivewords(whichperhapsyouhaveguessed):

\"Mamma!mamma!\"

Hermother—asweetlittleladyoffive—

Vouchsafedherparentalprotection,AndalthoughstockinetWasn’tblue—blooded,yetShereallycouldmakenoobjection!

Sosoldieranddollywereweddedoneday,Andamomentago,asIjourneyedthatway,I’msurethatIheardaweebabyvoicesay:

\"Mamma!mamma!\"

INSCRIPTIONFORMYLITTLESON’SSILVERPLATE

Whenthoudosteatfromoffthisplate,Ichargetheebethoutemperate;

UntothineeldersattheboardDothousweetreverenceaccord;

And,thoughtodignityinclined,Untotheserving—folkbekind;

Beevermindfulofthepoor,Norturnthemhungryfromthedoor;

AnduntoGod,forhealthandfoodAndallthatinthylifeisgood,Givethouthyheartingratitude。

FISHERMANJIM’SKIDS

FishermanJimlivedonthehillWithhisbonniewifean’hislittleboys;

’Twuz\"Blow,yewinds,asblowyewill—

Naughtwereckofyourcoldandnoise!\"

Forhappyandwarmwerehean’his,AndhedandledhiskidsuponhiskneeTothesongofthesea。

FishermanJimwouldsailallday,But,whencomenight,uponthesandsHislittlekidsranfromtheirplay,Callin’tohiman’wavin’theirhands;

Thoughthewindwasfreshandtheseawashigh,He’dhear’em—youbet—abovetheroarOfthewavesontheshore!

OnceFishermanJimsailedintothebayAsthesunwentdowninacloudysky,Andneverakidsawheatplay,Andhelistenedinvainforthewelcomingcry。

Inhislittlehousehelearneditall,Andheclinchedhishandsandhebowedhishead—

\"Thefever!\"theysaid。

’TwuzapitifultimeforFishermanJim,Withthemdarlin’sa—dyin’aforehiseyes,A—stretchin’theirweehandsouttohimAn’a—breakin’hisheartwiththeold—timecriesHehadheerdsooftenuponthesands;

Fortheythoughttheywuzhelpin’hisboatashore—

Tilltheyspokenomore。

ButFishermanJimlivedonandon,Castin’hisnetsan’sailin’thesea;

Asamanwilllivewhenhisheartisgone,FishermanJimlivedhopelessly,Tillonceinthoseyearstheycomean’said:

\"OldFishermanJimispowerfulsick—

Gotohim,quick!\"

ThenFishermanJimsayshetome:

\"It’salong,longcruise—youunderstand—

Butoverbeyonttheragin’seaIkinseemyboysontheshinin’sandWaitin’tohelpthisol’hulkashore,Justastheyusedto—ah,mate,youknow!—

Inthelongago。\"

No,sir!hewuzn’tafeardtodie;

ForallnightlongheseemedtoseeHislittleboysofthedaysgoneby,An’tohearsweetvoicesforgotbyme!

An’justasthemornin’suncomeup—

\"They’reholdin’mebythehands!\"hecried,An’sohedied。

\"FIDDLE—DEE—DEE\"

Thereoncewasabirdthatlivedupinatree,Andallhecouldwhistlewas\"Fiddle—dee—dee\"—

Averyprovoking,unmusicalsongForonetobewhistlingthesummerdaylong!

YetalwayscontentedandbusywasheWiththatvocalrecurrenceof\"Fiddle—dee—dee。\"

Hardbylivedabravelittlesoldieroffour,Thatweirditerationrepentedhimsore;

\"Iprithee,Dear—Mother—Mine!fetchmemygun,For,byourSt。Didy!thedeedmustbedoneThatshallpresentlyridallcreationandmeOfthatominousbirdandhis’Fiddle—dee—dee’!\"

ThenoutcameDear—Mother—Mine,bringinghersonHisawfullytruculentlittleredgun;

Thestockwasofpineandthebarreloftin,The\"bang\"itcameoutwherethebulletwentin—

TherightkindofweaponIthinkyou’llagreeForslayingallfowlthatgo\"Fiddle—dee—dee\"!

Thebravelittlesoldierquothneveraword,Butheupandhedrewastraightbeadonthatbird;

And,whilethatvaincreatureprovokinglysang,Thegunitwentoffwithaterriblebang!

Thenloudlaughedtheyouth—\"BymyBottle,\"criedhe,I’veputaquietuson’Fiddle—dee—dee’!\"

OutcamethenDear—Mother—Mine,saying:\"Myson,Rightwellhaveyouwroughtwithyourlittleredgun!

HereafternoevilatallneedIfear,WithsuchabravesoldierasYou—My—Lovehere!\"

Shekissedthedearboy。

(ThebirdinthetreeContinuedtowhistlehis\"Fiddle—dee—dee\")

OVERTHEHILLSANDFARAWAY

Overthehillsandfaraway,AlittleboystealsfromhismorningplayAndundertheblossomingapple—treeHeliesandhedreamsofthethingstobe:

Ofbattlesfoughtandofvictorieswon,Ofwrongso’erthrownandofgreatdeedsdone—

Ofthevalorthatheshallprovesomeday,Overthehillsandfaraway—

Overthehills,andfaraway!

OverthehillsandfarawayIt’s,oh,forthetoilthelivelongday!

ButitmatterethnottothesoulaflameWithaloveforrichesandpowerandfame!

On,0man!whilethesunishigh—

OntothecertainjoysthatlieYonderwhereblazeththenoonofday,Overthehillsandfaraway—

Overthehills,andfaraway!

Overthehillsandfaraway,Anoldmanlingersatcloseofday;

Nowthathisjourneyisalmostdone,Hisbattlesfoughtandhisvictorieswon—

Theold—timehonestyandtruth,Thetrustfulnessandthefriendsofyouth,Homeandmother—wherearethey?

Overthehillsandfaraway—

Overtheyears,andfaraway!