Solace

Whom does Miss belong to?

Just to Mother, Mother only: That's whom Miss belongs to, --And Mother's never lonely.

Whom's this little song to?

Just to Baby, Baby only: That's whom little song's to, --And Baby's never lonely.

Strange Lands

Where do you come from, Mr. Jay?-- 'From the land of Play, from the land of Play.'

And where can that be, Mr. Jay?-- 'Far away--far away.'

Where do you come from, Mrs. Dove?-- 'From the land of Love, from the land of Love.'

And how do you get there, Mrs. Dove?-- 'Look above--look above.'

Where do you come from, Baby Miss?-- 'From the land of Bliss, from the land of Bliss.'

And what is the way there, Baby Miss?-- 'Mother's kiss--mother's kiss.'

March Meadows

A LARK:

Lark-bird, lark-bird soaring high, Are you never weary?

When you reach the empty sky, Are the clouds not dreary?

Don't you sometimes long to be A silent gold-fish in the sea?

Gold-fish, gold-fish diving deep, Are you never sad, say?

When you feel the cold waves creep Are you really glad, say?

Don't you sometimes long to sing And be a lark-bird on the wing?

LAMBS:

O little lambs! the month is cold, The sky is very gray; You shiver in the misty gra.s.s And bleat at all the winds that pa.s.s; Wait! when I'm big--some day-- I'll build a roof to every fold.

But now that I am small, I'll pray At mother's knee for you; Perhaps the angels with their wings Will come and warm you, little things; I'm sure that, if G.o.d knew, He'd let the lambs be born in May.

The Robin

When father takes his spade to dig, Then Robin comes along; He sits upon a little twig And sings a little song.

Or, if the trees are rather far, He does not stay alone, But comes up close to where we are And bobs upon a stone.

The Mouse

Little Master Mouse, You'd better leave this house; Crumbs are scarce upon the floor, And p.u.s.s.y sleeps behind the door.

Mousie soft and grey, I wish you'd run away!

Cook will catch you in a trap, And mice mayn't sit in mother's lap....

The Bat

Bat, Bat, that flies at night When angels' breath has blown the light, When all the bees are hived in bed And swallow sleeps with hidden head: Songless bird! until this hour, Among the bells in the ivied tower Have you hung dreaming in your house?

Are you a living winged mouse?-- Bat, Bat, I often doubt; And when I see you flit about, I wonder if the dead birds roam In circles round their nestlings' home....

The Swallow

O Swallow! if I had your wings I would not stay below; I'd leave off catching flies and things And up to Heaven I'd go.

I'd sail above the tallest tree That waves its arms on high; Beyond the furthest cloud we see, And deeper than the sky.

Perhaps, when live birds find the way, They're all sent down again, And that is why you dive to-day For insects in the rain.

Snowdrops

Little ladies, white and green, With your spears about you, Will you tell us where you've been Since we lived without you?

You are sweet, and fresh, and clean, With your pearly faces; In the dark earth where you've been There are wondrous places:

Yet you come again, serene, When the leaves are hidden; Bringing joy from where you've been You return unbidden--