Caw!" said the mother;
"We caw," said the six:
So they cawed and they called,
In their nest built of sticks.

Over in the meadow,

Where the grass is so even,
Lived a gay mother-cricket
And her little crickets seven.
Chirp!" said the mother;
"We chirp," said the seven:
So they chirped cheery notes
In the grass soft and even.

Over in the meadow
By the old mossy gate,
Lived a brown mother-lizard
And her little lizards eight.
"Bask!" said the mother;
"We bask," said the eight:
So they basked in the sun,
On the old mossy gate.

THE BABY

Over in the meadow,

Where the clear pools shine,
Lived a green mother-frog

And her little froggies nine.
"Croak!" said the mother;

"We croak!" said the nine:
So they croaked and they plashed,
Where the clear pools shine.

Over in the meadow,
In a sly little den,
Lived a gray mother-spider
And her little spiders ten.
"Spin!" said the mother;
"We spin," said the ten:
So they spun lace webs,
In their sly little den.

GEORGE MACDONALD

SCOTLAND, 1824

The Baby

Where did you come from, baby dear?
Out of the everywhere into the here.

37

10

15

Where did you get your eyes so blue?
Out of the sky as I came through.

What makes the light in them sparkle and spin?

Some of the starry spikes left in.

5 Where did you get that little tear? I found it waiting when I got here.

What makes your forehead so smooth and high?

A soft hand stroked it as I went by.

What makes your cheek like a warm, white

rose?

10 Something better than any one knows.

Whence that three-cornered smile of bliss?
Three angels gave me at once a kiss.

Where did you get that pearly ear?
God spoke, and it came out to hear.

15 Where did you get those arms and hands? Love made itself into hooks and bands.

LITTLE BIRDIE

39

Feet, whence did you come, you darling

things?

From the same box as the cherub's wings.

How did they all just come to be you?
God thought about me, and so I grew.

But how did you come to us, you dear?
God thought of you, and so I am here.

ALFRED TENNYSON

ENGLAND, 1809-1892

Little Birdie

What does little birdie say,

In her nest at peep of day?

66

Let me fly," says little birdie;

66

Mother, let me fly away."

"Birdie, rest a little longer,

Till the little wings are stronger."
So she rests a little longer,

Then she flies away.

5

10

5

What does little baby say,
In her bed at peep of day?
Baby says, like little birdie,

66

"Let me rise and fly away." 'Baby, sleep a little longer, Till the little limbs are stronger." If she sleeps a little longer, Baby, too, shall fly away.

10

15

ROBERT BROWNING

ENGLAND, 1812-1889

Good Morning

The year's at the Spring,
And day's at the morn;
Morning's at seven;

The hillside's dew-pearled;
The lark's on the wing;
The snail's on the thorn;
God's in his heaven

All's right with the world.