All night across the dark we steer:
But when the day returns at last,
Safe in my room beside the pier,
I find my vessel fast.

JANE TAYLOR

ENGLAND, 1783-1824

Child's Thought of a Star

Twinkle, twinkle, little star;
How I wonder what you are!
Up above the world so high,
Like a diamond in the sky!

When the blazing sun is set,
10 And the grass with dew is wet,
Then you show your little light,
Twinkle, twinkle, all the night.

15

In the dark blue sky you keep,
And often through my curtains peep;
For you never shut your eye

Till the sun is in the sky.

OLD GAELIC LULLABY

Then if I were in the dark,

I would thank you for your spark;
I could not see which way to go,
If you did not twinkle so.

47

UNKNOWN

Old Gaelic Lullaby

Hush the waves are rolling in,

White with foam, white with foam;

Father toils amid the din;

But baby sleeps at home.

Hush! the winds roar hoarse and deep,-
On they come, on they come!
Brother seeks the wandering sheep;
But baby sleeps at home.

Hush! the rain sweeps o'er the knowes,

Where they roam, where they roam;

Sister goes to seek the cows;

But baby sleeps at home.

5

10

15

SECOND YEAR-FIRST HALF

JEAN INGELOW

ENGLAND, 1830-1897

Seven Times One

There's no dew left on the daisies and

clover,

There's no rain left in heaven;

I've said my "seven times" over and

over

Seven times one are seven.

5 I am old! so old I can write a letter; My birthday lessons are done:

The lambs play always, they know no better;

They are only one times one.

O Moon! in the night I have seen you sailing,

10 And shining so round and low;

48

SEVEN TIMES ONE

49

You were bright! ah, bright! but your

light is failing;

You are nothing now but a bow.

You Moon! have you done something

wrong in heaven,

That God has hidden your face?

I hope, if you have, you will soon be forgiven,

And shine again in your place.

O velvet Bee! you're a dusty fellow, You've powdered your legs with gold; O brave marsh Mary-buds, rich and yellow!

Give me your money to hold.

O Columbine! open your folded wrapper
Where two twin turtle-doves dwell;
O Cuckoo-pint! toll me the purple
clapper,

That hangs in your clear, green bell.

10

And show me your nest with the young ones in it

I will not steal them away,

I am old! you may trust me, Linnet, Linnet,

I am seven times one to-day.

EDWIN ARNOLD

ENGLAND, 1832-1904

The Swallow's Nest

5 Day after day her nest she moulded,
Building with magic, love and mud,
A gray cup made by a thousand journeys,
And the tiny beak was trowel and hod.

10

LYDIA MARIA CHILD

AMERICA, 1802-1880

Who stole the Bird's Nest?

"To-whit! to-whit! to-whee!

Will you listen to me?

Who stole four eggs I laid,

And the nice nest I made?"