In My Nursery. Richards Laura Elizabeth Howe

said the baby.

      "Prance!" said the baby.

      "Perchance," said the baby,

      "You think I'm a goose.

      Vainly you're dreaming

      Of rest, and your scheming

      To silence my screaming

      Is all of no use.

      "Sing!" said the baby.

      "Ring!" said the baby.

      "Bring," said the baby,

      "My rattles and toys.

      Still I will weep, oh!

      Awake I will keep, oh!

      Won't go to sleep, oh!

      Will make a noise!

      "Walk!" said the baby.

      "Talk!" said the baby.

      "I'll balk," said the baby,

      "Your efforts, one and all.

      Still I'll be scorning,

      When, towards the morning,

      Without any warning

      Asleep I will fall."

      LITTLE SUNBEAM

      Little yellow Sunbeam,

      Waking up one day,

      Down into the garden

      Took her shining way;

      Merrily went dancing

      Down the morning air,

      Shaking out the sparkles

      From her golden hair.

      Little yellow Sunbeam

      Twinkled all about,

      Down among the green leaves

      Flitting in and out.

      Waking up the daisies

      From their morning doze,

      Ringing up the lily-bells,

      Knocking up the rose.

      Little yellow Sunbeam,

      Climbing up the wall,

      On the baby's window

      Happened for to fall.

      In the little chamber

      As she took a peep,

      There she saw the Lovely One

      Lying fast asleep.

      Little yellow Sunbeam

      Tripped into the room,

      Sweeping out the darkness

      With her golden broom.

      All the little shadows,

      Glimmering and gray,

      Gathered up their dusky skirts,

      Softly slid away.

      Little yellow Sunbeam,

      Flitting to the bed,

      Merrily went dancing

      Round the baby's head.

      Suddenly there flashed out,

      To her great surprise,

      Other little sunbeams

      From the baby's eyes.

      Little yellow Sunbeam

      Said, "How can this be?

      Whence these little sparklers

      So unlike to me?

      Scarce I think they can be

      Sunbeams real and true,

      For we all are yellow;

      These are lovely blue."

      Little yellow Sunbeam

      Flew back to the sky.

      Running to her father,

      She began to cry:

      "Father, you must vanish!

      Run and hide your head!

      There's a brighter sun than you

      In the baby's bed."

      BABY'S BELONGINGS

      Here are the baby's bonny blue eyes.

      What shall we give her to see?

      A calico doll and a parrotty poll,

      As funny as funny can be.

      Here are the baby's little pink ears.

      What shall we give her to hear?

      A bell that will ring, and a bird that will sing,

      And a brook that goes tinkling clear.

      Here is the baby's little wee nose.

      What shall we give her to smell?

      A hyacinth blue and a violet too,

      And roses and lilies as well.

      Here is the baby's pretty red mouth.

      What shall we give her to eat?

      A sugary heart and a raspberry tart,

      And everything else that is sweet.

      And here are the baby's little fat hands.

      What shall we give her to hold?

      A sunbeam? That's right! and a rainbow bright,

      And plenty of silver and gold.

      INFANTRY TACTICS

      Present arms! There they are,

      Both stretched out to me.

      Strong and sturdy, smooth and white,

      Fair as arms may be.

      Ground arms! on the floor,

      Picking up his toys:

      Breaking all within his reach,

      Busiest of boys.

      Right wheel! off his cart,

      Left wheel too is gone.

      Horsey's head is broken off,

      Horsey's tail is torn.

      Quick step, forward march!

      Crying, too, he comes.

      Had a battle with the cat.

      "Scratched off bofe my fums!"

      Shoulder arms! Here at last,

      Round my neck they close.

      Poor little soldier boy

      Off to quarters goes.

      BABY BO

      Fly away, fly away, Birdie oh!

      Bring something home to my Baby Bo!

      Bring him a feather and bring him a song,

      And sing to him sweetly all the day long.

      Hoppety, kickety, Grasshopper oh!

      Bring something home to my Baby Bo!

      Bring him a thistle and bring him a thorn,

      Hop over his head and then be gone.

      Howlibus, gowlibus, Doggibus oh!

      Bring something home to my Baby Bo!

      Bring him a snarl and bring him a snap,

      And bring him a posy to put in his cap.

      Twinkily, winkily, Firefly oh!

      Bring