[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 hoa.r.s.ely 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 gra.s.s, Green things a-growing Everywhere you pa.s.s 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; p.u.s.s.y 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, p.u.s.s.y"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
G.o.d make my life a little light, Within the world to glow-- A tiny flame that burneth bright, Wherever I may go.
G.o.d make my life a little flower, 5 That bringeth joy to all, Content to bloom in native bower, Although its place be small.
G.o.d make my life a little song, That comforteth the sad, 10 That helpeth others to be strong, And makes the singer glad.