Lessons now at last are over,
Books and slates are put away;
Hymns attentively repeated,
Copy without a blot completed,
Now's the time for fun and play.
Lessons done with cheerful spirit
Bring the sure reward of merit,
Smiling face and heart so gay;
In this bright and smiling weather,
Merrily they all together,
With the skipping rope will play;
And if only Tom and Polly
Will come too, it will be jolly!
Here they are now, foot it lightly,
Hand in hand they skip so sprightly,
Bees are humming,
Summer's coming.
Birds are singing as they're bringing
Twigs from many a distant tree;
Lined with down, and moss, and feather,
Where they'll sit and chirp together,
Oh! how snug those homes will be!
O'er the ropes so lightly skipping,
O'er the grass so lightly tripping,
The children are as glads as they.
Lessons are done with cheerful spirit,
Bring the sure reward of merit;
And remember, too, that they
Who work hardest day by day,
Always most enjoy their play.
[Illustration: Our Piggy Swinging.]
[Illustration: Our Kangaroos Jumping.]
[Illustration: Our Kangaroos Skipping.]
[Page 89--Play Land]