Part 2

And now they lie tired, where sleep chanced to o'ertake them. Step lightly, speak softly, take care not to wake them!

PIRATE SONG

A pirate, a pirate! I'd like to be a pirate! A black-bearded pirate, with a pistol at my side! With a crew to take my orders And scour the ocean's borders, I'd tramp along the quarterdeck, my ship upon the tide!

A pirate, a pirate! I want to be a pirate A-sailing off to Tartary, to India, and Spain! I'd show them I was master, As we scudded fast and faster, We pirates bold, a-search for gold, across the Spanish Main!

A pirate, a pirate! I'd like to be a pirate, A scarlet scarf about my neck, a cutlass at my wrist! With my boots of shining leather Creaking when they rubbed together, And a foeman lank, to walk the plank, whenever I'd insist!

A pirate, a pirate! I want to be a pirate! To sail the seas for treasure, and to keep it in our hold! To fear no foe nor nation-- What a splendid occupation To be a doughty pirate in the daring days of old!

A pirate, a pirate! But if I were a pirate, I couldn't have a pair of skates, a football, or a sled! So, when I think it over, Though I'd _like_ to be a rover, I'd rather live in our house, and be myself, instead!

OUR PLAYHOUSE IS SO NEAR TO FAIRYLAND--

Our playhouse is so near to Fairyland I think the fairies come and peep, to see How children play.

So sometimes when there's something in the grass That sounds like fairies' footsteps very faint Not far away,

We sit quite still, all on the playhouse wall; But though we wait and wait for them to speak They never do.

Our playhouse is so near to Fairyland They'll come some day, and start to play with us, I think, don't you?

NEW LEAVES

It doesn't do you any good to hide, Trees! Everybody knows you're there inside! Besides, although you think you're hid complete --We see your feet!

BEACH BIRDS

Beach birds, beach birds, flying in to me, From the wide, blue palaces of your home, the sea, What have you to tell about, islands green and fair? Stories of the ships that tramp the trail to Everywhere?

Have you seen a sailor lad dreaming at the wheel? Have you seen the great sharks flash, white beneath a keel? Have you seen the savages dancing in a ring? Have you, on a desert isle, ever seen a king?

Beach birds, beach birds, flying in to me, In some far, blue palace-hall of your home, the sea, Will you tell the listening birds how, in a curious land, Once--you saw a little maid, playing in the sand?

THE SKY'S SONG

The sky stands up to sing before us; Each star's a word, the moon's the chorus!

A SPRING THOUGHT

The new birds tweet, and buds come sweet, And puffy clouds are in the sky. The world is full of little girls, But very few as nice as I!

THE ZOO

We were walking in the zoo, And all the animals looked at us; The bear and the hippopotamus, And quite a few Lions and wolves and a yak and a gnu. And we were glad some one had made Cages around them, so that we Could walk there and not be afraid: But could just pretend that they were free; And could eat us both--if they wanted to.

SIX IN JUNE

The leaves are born; the organ man Has got a new, quick tune. It's rained. The kitten's gone to sleep:-- And I'll be six in June!

CLOUD MAGIC

Beneath the comfortable sky All afternoon I love to lie, And think about the books I've read And all the things I dream in bed, When I am not quite sleeping yet-- The things that day makes me forget.

The white clouds looked like ships one day, And then like lambkins strayed away; And, as I look, I understand Just where it is that's Fairyland.

It's only lying down, you know, The clouds make pictures for me, so When I stand up to see them, why, There's nothing there but clouds and sky!

AMBITION

A lonely little desert isle That was not comforted By all the oceans mile on mile Sighed wistfully and said, "It's hard sometimes to be content. I wish I were a continent!"

TREE BIRTHDAYS

Look! Look at me! To-day's my birthday, Tree! See, let me stand up, so, Beside you. How you grow! I'm tall, but oh, I'll never be as tall as you, I know! Tree, when's your birthday, please? Why don't you speak? I seem so small, And you're so tall, Perhaps you have a birthday every week!

IN AUTUMN

I'm sorry, Trees, Your leaves have gone, and left you. But don't cry; Don't shiver so. You're luckier than I! When Summer's gone, and Fall's here stern and cool, I have to go to school.

Don't tremble, Trees! You shouldn't mind. I wish that I were you! You don't have fractions, no, nor maps to do, And no one tries to make trees keep a rule-- _I_ have to go to school!

STAR-CASTE

A star looked down upon the sea, And to a lighthouse trim said he, "I wonder what you are!" The lighthouse twinkled instantly, "Why, you're the aristocracy, And I'm a working star!"

A NEWSBOY

It must be hard to stand and stand ... But think of pennies in your hand!

A PLAYGROUND

All the day, from dawn till dark, Nations play within this park.

East and West are in that swing, Feet that crowd, and hands that cling.

Europe leans to catch a ball. In the shadow of that wall, Asia sings and hugs a doll.

All the day, from dawn till dark, Nations play within this park.

MOONS

Mountain moons are large and white, Mountain moons are round; --I have seen the moons at night Growing from the ground,-- And I like the seaside moons, In the sea-blue sky. But--in town, the moons are all So _very_ far and high!

THE DISCOVERY

It often rains in our town. And, you know, It always happens when we've planned to go On walks or hikes, or somewhere out to play; It's curious how it seems arranged that way!

We used to use those rainy days to pout, And stand there at the window looking out And wishing things about the weather--oh, I never knew a wish to change it, though!

But now--the gladdest secret! We don't need Our dad to tell us stories. We can read! We've found that Fairyland is everywhere-- You open up a book and, why, you're there!

GARDENING IS HEAPS OF FUN!

Gardening is heaps of fun! We are partners with the sun, For we help him make things grow, With our spade and rake and hoe!

First we spade the ground, then rake it; Ready for the seeds we make it; Then in furrows carefully Plant them as they ought to be.

Soon above the ground we spy Tiny green things push and pry, Little plants that from their night Wake and climb to find the light.

They are thirsty, so we give Water first that they may live; Then the weeds we vanquish, so Each wee shoot may thrive and grow.

Busy raindrops, light, and air, Haste to come, our work to share. For to them too, every one, Gardening is heaps of fun!

FAIRY TOWN

(A LULLABY)

In Fairy Town, in Fairy Town, Where Fairy folk go up and down, Where Fairy children, wee and gay, Frisk and romp in Fairy play, Every day's a holiday! And every night is sweeter still, For when, behind the Fairy hill The tiny Fairy sun goes down, It's sleepy time in Fairy Town!

Sleepy time in Fairy Town! Sleep, sleep--sleep-- While the stars of Fairy Town Safe watch keep. All the Fairy babies, so, Off to Dreamland softly go-- Sleep--sleep--sleep!

In Fairy Town, in Fairy Town, Each baby in a moonlight gown, Lies and dreams the livelong night. Fairy babies are so white, White and pink and wee and bright! Petals of a rose a-curl Make a Fairy baby girl; Autumn leaves, all dear and brown, Make the boys of Fairy Town!

Sleepy time in Fairy Town! Sleep, sleep--sleep-- While the stars of Fairy Town Safe watch keep. Like the Fairy babies, go Off to Dreamland, softly, so-- Sleep--sleep--sleep!

STRAIGHT HAIR

I wish my hair would curl! There isn't any other little girl With hair as straight as mine! I try to twine It round my finger, so; But oh, It just won't grow That way, no matter how I twist and whirl And coax it!--If, to-night, I wish upon a star that it would curl-- Oh, then, to-morrow--do you think it _might_?

BEDTIME

It's eight o'clock now, kitten, see! Good-night! Sweet dreams of mice and me!