MY BED IS A BOAT

Y bed is like a little boat;

MY

Nurse helps me in when I embark;

She girds me in my sailor's coat
And starts me in the dark.

At night, I go on board and say

Good-night to all my friends on shore;

I shut my eyes and sail away
And see and hear no more.

And sometimes things to bed I take,
As prudent sailors have to do;
Perhaps a slice of wedding-cake,
Perhaps a toy or two.

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.

T

XXXII

THE MOON

HE moon has a face like the clock in the hall; She shines on thieves on the garden wall, On streets and fields and harbour quays, And birdies asleep in the forks of the trees.

The squalling cat and the squeaking mouse,
The howling dog by the door of the house,
The bat that lies in bed at noon,

All love to be out by the light of the moon.

But all of the things that belong to the day
Cuddle to sleep to be out of her way;
And flowers and children close their eyes
Till up in the morning the sun shall arise.

HOW

THE SWING

OW do you like to go up in a swing,
Up in the air so blue?

Oh, I do think it the pleasantest thing
Ever a child can do!

Up in the air and over the wall,

Till I can see so wide,

Rivers and trees and cattle and all
Over the countryside-

Till I look down on the garden green,

Down on the roof so brown

Up in the air I go flying again,
Up in the air and down!

A

XXXIV

TIME TO RISE

BIRDIE with a yellow bill

Hopped upon the window sill,

Cocked his shining eye and said: "Ain't you 'shamed, you sleepy-head!"

LOOKING-GLASS RIVER

MOOTH it slides upon its travel,
More Wilde, ture a stan

O the clean gravel!

O the smooth stream!

Sailing blossoms, silver fishes,
Paven pools as clear as air-
How a child wishes

To live down there!

We can see our coloured faces
Floating on the shaken pool
Down in cool places,
Dim and very cool;

Till a wind or water wrinkle, Dipping marten, plumping trout, Spreads in a twinkle

And blots all out.

See the rings pursue each other;

All below grows black as night,
Just as if mother

Had blown out the light!