One is black, with a frill of white, And her feet are all white fur, too; If you stroke her she carries her tail upright, I think we shall call her this I think we shall call her that; Now, don't you fancy "Sootikin " One is a tortoise shell, yellow and black, If you tease him, at once he sets up his back; I think we shall call him that; Our old cat has kittens three, And I fancy these their names will be: "Pepperpot," "Sootikin," "Scratchaway "—there! NO BABY IN THE HOUSE. ANON. [Naturally and regretfully.] No baby in the house, I know— No finger marks are on the panes, Or marshalled off in pairs. No little stockings to be darned, No grimy fingers to be washed, No tender kisses to be given, No nicknames-"Love" and "Mouse;" No merry frolics after tea No baby in the house! THE LITTLE ANGEL. ANON. [To be spoken by a little girl, simply and tenderly.] Right into our house one day A dear little angel came; I ran to him and softly said, "Dear angel what is your name?" He said not a word in answer, But smiled a beautiful smile; Then I said, "may I go home with you? But mamma said, "dear little angel Sweet angel, oh, don't go away!" So he stayed, and he stayed, and we loved him Do you want to know what his name is? THE WORKS OF GOD. TAYLOR. [Deliver in a low but distinct tone of voice.] God made the sky that looks so blue; He made the flowers that look so sweet, God made the sun that shines so bright, It comes to give us heat and light- God made the pretty bird to fly; God made the cow to give nice milk, I'll treat them kindly, for His sake, God made the water for my drink; He made the tree to bear nice fruit; LITTLE STAR. ANON. [This piece may be spoken by a very little girl.] Good night, little star! I will go to my bed, And leave you to burn While I lay down my head. On my pillow I'll sleep HAPPY-GO-LUCKY. GEORGE COOPER. [To be given by a little boy in a lively manner.] Happy-go-lucky has cheeks rosy red, Ten times a day he will stand on his head. Up in the morning as soon as the sun. Sliding on banisters all the way down; When he has shocked all the house with affright, Happy-go-lucky once climbed up a tree, Just to look round and see what he could see; Maybe the fairies, with some potent charm, Because he's so cheerful, have kept him from harm. Mother so wishes that he would be still, Happy-go-lucky runs out in the streets, THE SNAIL. ANON. The snail he lives in his hard round house, In the orchard, under the tree; The snail in his little house doth dwell THE CHILD'S WORLD. LILLIPUT'S LEVEE. [To be recited in a vigorous yet tender way, by a little girl or boy.] Great, wide, beautiful, wonderful world, With the wonderful water around you curled, The wonderful air is over me, And the wonderful wind is shaking the tree; You friendly Earth! how far do you go With the wheat-fields that nod and the rivers that flow? With cities and gardens, and cliffs and isles, And people upon you for thousands of miles? Ah, you are so great, and I am so small, A whisper inside me seemed to say "You are more than the Earth, tho' you are such a dot You can Love and Think, and the Earth can not!" |