Volume I Part 33 (1/2)

Slowly she grew--till she filled the night, And shone On her throne In the sky alone, A matchless, wonderful silvery light, Radiant and lovely, the queen of the night.

Said the Wind: ”What a marvel of power am I!

With my breath, Good faith!

I blew her to death-- First blew her away right out of the sky-- Then blew her in; what strength have I!

But the Moon she knew nothing about the affair; For high In the sky, With her one white eye, Motionless, miles above the air, She had never heard the great Wind blare.

George Macdonald [1824-1905]

CHILD'S SONG IN SPRING

The silver birch is a dainty lady, She wears a satin gown; The elm tree makes the old churchyard shady, She will not live in town.

The English oak is a st.u.r.dy fellow, He gets his green coat late; The willow is smart in a suit of yellow, While brown the beech trees wait.

Such a gay green gown G.o.d gives the larches-- As green as He is good!

The hazels hold up their arms for arches When Spring rides through the wood.

The chestnut's proud, and the lilac's pretty, The poplar's gentle and tall, But the plane tree's kind to the poor dull city-- I love him best of all!

Edith Nesbit [1858-1924]

BABY SEED SONG

Little brown brother, oh! little brown brother, Are you awake in the dark?

Here we lie cosily, close to each other: Hark to the song of the lark-- ”Waken!” the lark says, ”waken and dress you; Put on your green coats and gay, Blue sky will s.h.i.+ne on you, suns.h.i.+ne caress you-- Waken! 'tis morning--'tis May!”

Little brown brother, oh! little brown brother, What kind of flower will you be?

I'll be a poppy--all white, like my mother; Do be a poppy like me.

What! you're a sun-flower? How I shall miss you When you're grown golden and high!

But I shall send all the bees up to kiss you; Little brown brother, good-bye.

Edith Nesbit [1858-1924]

LITTLE DANDELION

Gay little Dandelion Lights up the meads, Swings on her slender foot, Telleth her beads, Lists to the robin's note Poured from above; Wise little Dandelion Asks not for love.

Cold lie the daisy banks Clothed but in green, Where, in the days agone, Bright hues were seen.

Wild pinks are slumbering, Violets delay; True little Dandelion Greeteth the May.

Brave little Dandelion!

Fast falls the snow, Bending the daffodil's Haughty head low.