Oh no! I wish I were a Robin.
A Robin or a little Wren, everywhere to go;
Through forest, field or garden,
And ask no leave or pardon,

Till winter comes with icy thumbs
To ruffle up our wing!

Well-tell! Where should I fly to,

Where go to sleep in the dark wood or dell? Before a day was over,

Home comes the rover,

For mother's kiss, sweeter this

Than any other thing!

William Allingham

THE VISIT

"Do you go to Norton, mamma, this next week?

I wish you had leisure to listen to me, For when you are writing I don't like to speak,

And that letter will never be finished, I see."

"I will lay down my pen, then, my dear little

child,

For I see you have minded the lesson we

read;

Come, jump on my knee here," mamma and smiled,

As she kissed the soft hair on her Emily's head.

"Yes, to Norton we are going, and what shall I say

To your two little playmates there, Harriet and Ann?

Shall I say you can read now as well as can play,

And can pull out your needle as fast as they can?"

"No, mamma, that was not what I wished you to hear!

And I fear you won't like what I'm going

to say;

Stop, put down your head, let me speak in

your ear,

For to whisper, I think, is by much the best way."

She asked to be taken her young friends to

see,

And to show them her work-box, her dolls,

and her toys;

She said she would try such a good child to be, And be well-bred and kind to the two

little boys.

She said if they teased her, or for her dolls cried,

She would not forget she was older than

they,

If as boys they were rude, she would try not to chide,

But would put up the dolls until they went away.

From Ann she could learn how her bracelets to string,

And with Harriet would practice doll's bonnets to make;

She would give to the latter her favorite ring,

And for dear little Ann, that Dutch doll she would take.

pray,

"Then

no;

dear mamma, pray do not say

You are always so kind, do indulge me in

this:

I think if you like it, papa 'll let me go, And I shall be so good, I'll do nothing amiss."

Papa was consulted, and though it was far,

Little Emily's goodness and worth gained

the day,

She was promised to go when the next we came round,

WHAT is the pretty little thing
That nurse so carefully doth bring,
And round its head her apron fling?
A baby.

Oh, dear, how very soft its cheek:
Why, nurse, I cannot make it speak,
And it can't walk, it is so weak,

Poor baby.

Here take a bite, you little dear,
I've got some cake and sweetmeats here,

'Tis very nice, you need not fear,

You baby.

Oh, I'm afraid that it will die,
Why can't it eat as well as I,
And jump, and talk? do let it try,
Poor baby.

Why, you were once a baby too,
And could not jump, as now you do,

But good mamma took care of you,

Like baby.

And then she taught your pretty feet
To pat along the carpet neat,

And called papa to come and meet

His baby.

Oh, good mamma, to take such care,
And no kind pains and trouble spare,
To feed and nurse you when

you were

A baby.

Jane and Ann Taylor

GETTING UP

BABY, baby, ope your eye,
For the sun is in the sky,

And he 's peeping once again
Through the frosty window pane ;
Little baby, do not keep

Any longer fast asleep.

There, now, sit in mother's lap,
That she may untie your cap,

For the little strings have got
Twisted into such a knot;

Ah! for shame,-you've been at play

With the bobbin, as you lay.

There it comes, now let me see
Where your petticoats can be ;