Chapter 4
AMERICA, 1850-1895
Dutch Lullaby[2]
Wynken, Blynken, and Nod one night Sailed off in a wooden shoe-- Sailed on a river of crystal light, Into a sea of dew. "Where are you going, and what do you wish?" 10 The old moon asked the three. "We have come to fish for the herring fish That live in this beautiful sea; Nets of silver and gold have we!" Said Wynken, Blynken, And Nod. 5
The old moon laughed and sang a song, As they rocked in the wooden shoe, And the wind that sped them all night long Ruffled the waves of dew. The little stars were the herring fish 10 That lived in that beautiful sea-- "Now cast your nets wherever you wish-- Never afeard are we"; So cried the stars to the fishermen three: Wynken, 15 Blynken, And Nod.
All night long their nets they threw To the stars in the twinkling foam-- Then down from the skies came the wooden shoe, 20 Bringing the fishermen home; "Twas all so pretty a sail it seemed As if it could not be, And some folks thought 'twas a dream they'd dreamed Of sailing that beautiful sea-- But I shall name you the fishermen three: 5 Wynken, Blynken, And Nod.
Wynken and Blynken are two little eyes: And Nod is a little head, 10 And the wooden shoe that sailed the skies Is a wee one's trundle-bed. So shut your eyes while mother sings Of wonderful sights that be, And you shall see the beautiful things 15 As you rock in the misty sea, Where the old shoe rocked the fishermen three: Wynken, Blynken, And Nod. 20
FOOTNOTE:
[2] From "Poems of Childhood," published by Messrs. Charles Scribner's Sons.
EUGENE FIELD
AMERICA, 1850-1895
The Night Wind[3]
Have you ever heard the wind go "Yoooo"? 'Tis a pitiful sound to hear! It seems to chill you through and through With a strange and speechless fear. 'Tis the voice of the night that broods outside 5 When folks should be asleep, And many and many's the time I've cried To the darkness brooding far and wide Over the land and the deep: "Whom do you want, O lonely night, 10 That you wail the long hours through?" And the night would say in its ghostly way: "Yoooooooo! Yoooooooo! Yoooooooo!" 15
My mother told me long ago (When I was a little lad) That when the wind went wailing so Somebody had been bad; And then, when I was snug in bed, Whither I had been sent, With the blankets pulled up round my head, 5 I'd think of what my mother'd said, And wonder what boy she meant! And "Who's been bad to-day?" I'd ask Of the wind that hoarsely blew, And the voice would say in its meaningful way: 10 "Yoooooooo! Yoooooooo! Yoooooooo!"
That this was true I must allow-- You'll not believe it, though! 15 Yes, though I'm quite a model now, I was not always so. And if you doubt what things I say, Suppose you make the test; Suppose, when you've been bad some day 20 And up to bed are sent away From mother and the rest-- Suppose you ask, "Who has been bad?" And then you'll hear what's true; For the wind will moan in its ruefulest tone: "Yoooooooo! Yoooooooo! 5 Yoooooooo!"
FOOTNOTE:
[3] From "Poems of Childhood," published by Messrs. Charles Scribner's Sons.
THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH
AMERICA, 1836-
Marjorie's Almanac[4]
Robins in the tree top, Blossoms in the grass, Green things a-growing Everywhere you pass Sudden little breezes, 5 Showers of silver dew, Black bough and bent twig Budding out anew; Pine tree and willow tree, Fringed elm, and larch,-- Don't you think that May-time's Pleasanter than March?
Apples in the orchard 5 Mellowing one by one; Strawberries upturning Soft cheeks to the sun; Roses faint with sweetness, Lilies fair of face, 10 Drowsy scents and murmurs Haunting every place; Lengths of golden sunshine, Moonlight bright as day-- Don't you think that summer's 15 Pleasanter than May?
Roger in the corn patch Whistling negro songs; Pussy by the hearth side Romping with the tongs; 20 Chestnuts in the ashes, Bursting through the rind; Red leaf and gold leaf Rustling down the wind; Mother "doin' peaches" All the afternoon,-- 5 Don't you think that autumn's Pleasanter than June?
Little fairy snow-flakes Dancing in the flue; Old Mr. Santa Claus, 10 What is keeping you? Twilight and firelight Shadows come and go; Merry chime of sleigh bells Tinkling through the snow; 15 Mother knitting stockings, Pussy's got the ball, Don't you think that winter's Pleasanter than all?
FOOTNOTE:
[4] Selections from Thomas B. Aldrich are used by permission of, and by special arrangement with, Houghton, Mifflin & Co., publishers of his works.
M. BETHAM EDWARDS
AMERICA, 1836-
A Child's Prayer
God make my life a little light, Within the world to glow-- A tiny flame that burneth bright, Wherever I may go.
God make my life a little flower, 5 That bringeth joy to all, Content to bloom in native bower, Although its place be small.
God make my life a little song, That comforteth the sad, 10 That helpeth others to be strong, And makes the singer glad.
* * * * *
Transcriber's Notes:
Page 53, the line number for line 5 was added.
Page 59, the line number 5 was moved up one line.
Page 63, single quotation mark changed to a double quotation mark. ("The lark lies)