HOW THE LEAVES CAME DOWN 81 We careless folk the deed forgot; We marked upon the self-same spot They shook their trembling heads and gray With pride and noiseless laughter; When, well-a-day! they blew away, And ne'er were heard of after! SUSAN COOLIDGE (SARAH CHAUNCEY WOOLSEY) AMERICA, 1845 How the Leaves came Down "I'll tell you how the leaves came down." Yes, very sleepy, little Red, 10 "Ah!" begged each silly, pouting leaf, 66 Let us a little longer stay; Dear Father Tree, behold our grief; So, for just one more merry day 66 Perhaps the great tree will forget, And let us stay until the spring, If we all beg, and coax, and fret." 66 But the great tree did no such thing; Come, children, all to bed," he cried; prayer, He shook his head, and far and wide, Fluttering and rustling everywhere, Down sped the leaflets through the air. WIZARD FROST I saw them; on the ground they lay, 83 White bedclothes heaped upon her arm, Should come to wrap them safe and warm. The great bare tree looked down and smiled. "Good night, dear little leaves," he said; And from below each sleepy child Replied, "Good night," and murmured, 'It is so nice to go to bed!" 66 5 10 FRANK DEMPSTER SHERMAN AMERICA, 1860 Wizard Frost Wondrous things have come to pass Looking in it I have seen Grass no longer painted green, 5 10 15 Trees whose branches never stir, Where the people, up and down Which the wizard Frost has drawn SAMUEL F. SMITH AMERICA, 1808-1895 America My country, 'tis of thee, Sweet land of liberty, Of thee I sing; AMERICA Land where my fathers died, My native country, thee I love thy rocks and rills, Let music swell the breeze, Let mortal tongues awake; 85 5 10 15 |