Produced by Don Kostuch
[Transcriber's notes]
Page numbers in this book are indicated by numbers enclosed
in curly braces, e.g. {99}. They have been located where page
breaks occurred in the original book.
Underscores indicate italics.
Several pages have only pictures with no text.
None of the images in the book have descriptions and most are
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[End Transcriber's notes]
MOTHER TRUTH'S MELODIES.
COMMON SENSE FOR CHILDREN.
A KINDERGARTEN,
BY
MRS. E. P. MILLER,
AUTHOR OF "A FATHER'S ADVICE; A BOOK FOR EVERY BOY." AND
"A MOTHER'S ADVICE; A BOOK FOR EVERY GIRL."
450 ILLUSTRATIONS.
NEW AND ENLARGED EDITION.
CHICAGO:
CRAM STANDARD BOOK CO.,
BOSTON, MASS., J. Q. ADAMS & Co
1896.
COPYRIGHTED 1887, BY
STANDARD PUBLISHING COMPANY.
COPYRIGHTED BY
STANDARD COLUMBIAN COMPANY,
1891, 1892.
COPYRIGHTED BY
CRAM STANDARD BOOK COMPANY
1894
COPYRIGHTED BY
GEORGE F. CRAM,
1895
{5}
To all who love the Children,
This book, INSCRIBED, I bring,--
Thus reaching forth to draw you
Within my charmed ring,
Where seeds and germs we'll nurture
In babies, children, youth,
Till every plant shall blossom,
And bear the fruits of TRUTH.
{6}
INTRODUCTION.
Since little ones are _geese_ no more,
But _knowing_ have become,
It ill beseems that "Mother Goose"
Should dwell in every home.
So "Mother Truth" in "Melodies"
For Babes, here lifts her voice,
Assured that parents, children, all,
Will welcome and rejoice.
{7}
NOTE.
Let no one suppose that the Author of these "Melodies" considers them
poetry. They are simply rhymes, the jingle of which may be music in
the children's ears, and the illustrations a delight to eager eyes.
The Truths presented, even if not fully understood at first, will
leave their impress, and in so far as they fill the little minds, will
keep out falsehood and false ideas.
The putting of facts in such form as to attract the attention of the
little ones, and be readily fixed in their memory, was first suggested
to the writer of these rhymes by a valued friend, the well known
philanthropist, MRS. ELIZABETH THOMPSON, and her interest in the
"Melodies" is such that she has generously assisted in procuring
illustrations for the same.
Thus "Mother Truth's Melodies" are introduced with the hope that this
effort to entertain children with rhyming reason will meet with the
approval of every lover of the young, and of Truth.
{8}
Poetry is the language of the imagination, while "facts are stubborn
things," and, in the mass, refuse utterly to be poetized. Yet, even
facts may be presented pleasingly and melodiously, and in such way
that they will be easily impressed upon the minds of children. This
the author of "Mother Truth's Melodies" sought to do, when the little
book was first given to the public.
Now, however, in the revising and enlarging of the book, she has given
wider play to the imagination, has enlarged the range of subjects, has
embodied lessons for children of older growth, and feels that
altogether, it will meet more fully the demands which its already
large sales warrant her in believing to exist.
She can ask no more favorable reception than was first met; but,
hoping for a continuance of the same, she trusts that as it becomes
more widely distributed, its truths and teachings will be impressed
upon household after household, till throughout the land, the little
ones, and larger, too, shall be influenced thereby.
MRS. E. P. M.
{9}
CONTENTS
WHY FLY AWAY, MOTHER GOOSE, 13
TOSS THE BABY, 14
PAT-A-CAKE, PAT-A-CAKE, 15
HEY, MY KITTEN, MY KITTEN, 16
WINKUM, WINKUM, 17
BABY'S BELL, 18
WILLY-NILLY, 19
BABY'S RECORD, 20
SLEEP, LITTLE SWEETEY, 22
NEVER TELL A FIB, 23
HUMPTY-DUMPTY, 24
HUSH-A-BYE, 26
DON'T MAKE ME LAUGH, 30
BYE-BABY-BUNTING, 31
TO BED WITH THE CHICKENS, 32
DIVE ME SUDAR, 33
TAUSE I'M TROSS, 34
THE NEW BOOK 36
WHISKUM, WHISKUM, 37
THE JACK-HORSE, 38
HI-DIDDLE DIDDLE, 39
THE RAIN, 40
FEED THE BIRDIES, 41
ROCK-A-BYE, 42
THE SNOWBALL, 49
LITTLE BO-PEEP, 50
THE TEA PARTY, 51
TELL IT AGAIN, MOTHER, 52
LITTLE JACK HORNER, 54
LITTLE BOY BLUE, 55
MISS VELVET PAWS, 56
{10}
POLLY HOPKINS, 57
A, B, C, 58
C-A-T SPELLS CAT, 64
THE KITTEN, 67
DOLLY DIMPLE, 70
IF YOU PLEASE, 75
THE POOR LITTLE CHICK-A-DEES, 76
HEIGH-HO, DAISIES AND BUTTERCUPS, 80
THE PONY, 81
BABY'S RECKONING, 86
TWO LITTLE PINK SHOES, 88
BABY PEARL, 90
MY VALENTINE, 91
FEE-FI-FO-FUM, 92
THE OXEN, 100
THE BROKEN PITCHER, 104
THE ELEPHANTS, 105
THE WIND, THE FOG,
THE RAIN, THE SNOW, 106
TRUTH, 110
HI DIDDLE, HO-DIDDLE, 112
WHAT IS THE AXIS, 116
HEAT AND COLD, 119
HARLEY'S DREAM, 120
OUR LANGUAGE KEY, 123
THE SPEECH FAMILY, 124
NUMBER AND GENDER, 126
ONE LITTLE CHICKEN, 127
LETTERS, 128
WORDS, 129
A SMILE, 131
TWINKLE, TWINKLE, 132
OLD SOL IN A JINGLE, 134
"ROBERT OF LINCOLN," 137
LIMPY-DIMPY-DINGLE, 138
CASTLE WONDERFUL, 140
THE RATTLE OF THE BONES 148
{11}
WHOLLY HOLE-Y, 153
THE BREATH O' LIFE, 156
THREE LITTLE GIRLS, 157
TEMPERANCE CHILD, 158
LISTEN, CHILDREN, 159
TICK-TOCK, TICK-TOCK, 160
CURIOUS TREES; THE COW TREE,
THE SUGAR-PINE, THE BUTTER-TREE,
THE BREAD-FRUIT TREE,
THE CLOVE-TREE, 161
THE TREE VILLAGE, 166
NO EYES, 168
THE MAMMOTH CAVE, 170
THE CAMELS, 172
KEY NOTES, 177
THE BEARS, 178
THE BEAR, A BLESSING, 181
FRUITS, 183
THE RACCOON, 184
THE BANK SWALLOWS, 190
THE MOCKING BIRD, 194
THE BUSY BEES, 196
HONEY-SWEET, 205
WHAT THEY SAY, 208
BRITAIN'S RULERS, 215
OUR LAND, 218
SIGNS OF THE ZODIAC, 220
GRAPHO, 223
THE STOP FAMILY, 226
LITTLE MISCHIEF, 229
GRANDMA'S CANARY, 233
BABY'S FAITH, 236
THE MEADOW QUAILS, 238
THE LITTLE HOUSEWIFE, 240
MOTHER-LOVE, 242
IT SNOWS! IT SNOWS! 244
AN OLD SAW, 247
{12}
THE DANDELION BLOSSOM, 248
SUNSHINE, 250
OUR ETHEL, 250
LITTLE GIRL'S LETTER TO GOD, 254
GRANDMA'S LESSONS, 258
MY LITTLE FOUR YEAR OLD, 260
HANDSOME DICK, 261
BESSIE'S KISSES, 266
THE DINNER POT, 267
NANNY'S PLAY, 268
NANNY'S LESSON, 272
NANNY'S RIDE, 276
THE RACE, 283
OUR KENNETH, 284
MY TEN YEAR'S OLD, 287
DARE TO SAY NO, 288
ASK MOTHER; TELL MOTHER, 291
DON'T TELL A LIE, 292
LITTLE MOSES, 294
THE CHILDREN'S RAILROAD, 298
THE PHOEBE'S NEST IN
THE OLD WELL WHEEL, 304
MABEL'S SNOW-FEATHERS 306
FOREST TREES, 310
CHILDHOOD FANCIES, 312
LIZZIE AND THE ANGELS, 317
CHILD MEMORIES, 324
NELLY AND NED, 326
THE CLAMBERERS, 329
THE NEW WHITE JATTET, 330
REMEMBER THE POOR, 331
THE LITTLE STREET SWEEPER, 332
THE HERE, THERE AND
EVERYWHERE FAMILY, 338
QUIRKS, 345
SOMEBODY'S BOY, 346
THE LADDIE-AND LASSIE BIRDS, 348
THE GREAT WATCH FULL I, 352
{13}
MOTHER TRUTH'S MELODIES.
_WHY FLY AWAY, MOTHER GOOSE?_
"MOTHER GOOSE, Mother Goose,
Why fly away?"
"Because Mother Truth is
A-coming to-day.
She'll tell you funny things,
But they'll be true;
She'll bring you pictures
So charming and new;
She'll sing you Melodies, helping to show
How, to true women and men, you may grow."
{14}
_TOSS THE BABY_.
Toss the baby high in air;
Catch him though, with special care
Lest his little back be strained,
Lest his little joints be sprained,
Lest his bones be bent or broken;
Lest through life he bear some token
Of a careless toss or fall,
That for sympathy shall call,
And that must forever be
Painful to our memory.
{15}
_PAT-A-CAKE, PAT-A-CAKE_.
Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake,
Mamma's boy,
Laughing and crowing,
And jumping with joy;
Roll it, and pick it and mark it with B,
And toss in the oven for Baby and me.
Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake,
Papa's girl,
Springing in baby-glee,
Shaking her curl;
Roll it and pick it and mark it with G,
And toss in the oven for Girly and me.
{16}
_HEY, MY KITTEN, MY KITTEN_.
Hey, my kitten, my kitten,
Hey, my kitten, my deary;
If Mamma should feed him too often,
He never could be so cheery.
Here we go up, up, up.
And here we go down, down, down-y.
If we never feed baby too much,
He never will give us a frown-y.
Hey, my kitten, my kitten,
Hey, my kitten, my deary;
We'll put him to bed with the birdies,
And that will make him so cheery!
Here we go up, up, up,
And here we go down, down, down-y;
If we give him nothing but smiles,
He will give us never a frown-y.
{17}
_WINKUM, WINKUM_.
Winkum, winkum, shut your eye,
Sweet, my baby, lullaby;
For the dew is falling soft,
Lights are flickering up aloft,
And the head-light's peeping over
Yonder hill-top capped with clover;
Chickens long have gone to rest,
Birds lie snug within their nest,
And my birdie soon will be
Sleeping with the chick-a-dee,
For with only half a try,
Winkum, winkum, shuts her eye.
{18}
_BABY'S BELL_.
Jingle! jingle! baby's bell;
What a tale its tongue might tell.
Could it speak it sure would say,
"When the baby's tired with play,
And is getting cross, don't try
To jingle bells, but hush-a-bye;
All so still, now crooning low,
Lull-a-bye, bye-o, bye-o,--
Quiet down his quaking nerves,
Soothe him as his state deserves;--
Passing hand from head to feet,
Sl-o-w-l-y, softly, loving, sweet,
As to smooth the feathers down,
Rumpled, from your birdling's crown;-- {19}
See, he sleeps, and in his dream
Yours may hand of angel seem,
Raveling out the tangled ills,
Knitting up with restful thrills."
_WILLY-NILLY_.
Willy-Nilly, birdy sings,
For he's running over
With the music that he flings
To his sweet bird-lover;--
Willy-nilly, baby laughs,
Gay and glad and gleeful;
Brimming over high with health,
She is always playful.
{20}
_BABY'S RECORD_.
New-born baby, soft and pink,
Of the two worlds on the brink.
One month old,--eat and sleep;
Precious little human heap.
Two months old,--tear and smile;
Fists in mouth and eyes the while.
Three months old,--"goo-a-goo,"
Windows wide where soul looks through.
Four months old,--finds his toes,
Tries to fix them on his nose.
{21}
Five months old,--first wee pearl;
All the household in a whirl.
Six months old,--sits alone;
Wishes swaddling clothes were gone.
Seven months old,--creep and crawl,
Wonder-eyed, a charm to all.
Eight months old,--confiscate
Pussy's tail and papa's pate.
Nine months old,--roguish eyes
Deepening daily; wilful, wise.
Ten months old,--witching ways
Wind us in; the baby pays!
Eleven months old,--finger-tip
Guides the elfin on his trip.
Year old,--lots of mischief done;
Walking, talking, just for fun.
{22}
_SLEEP, LITTLE SWEETEY_.
Sleep now, my sweetey,
Dear one, and pretty!
Weary with playing,
Weary with straying,
Stop little thinkers,
Shut little winkers;
Sleep, little sweetey,
Precious and pretty.
Sleep now, my sweetey,
Dear One, and pretty!
Stop little thinkers,
Shut little winkers,
Angels a-watching
Sleep-doors unlatching;
Slip in, my sweetey,
Precious and pretty!
Sleeping, my sweetey,
Dear one, and pretty!
Stopped, little thinkers,
Shut, little winkers,
Angels a-watching,
Sleep-doors are latching;
Slipped in, my sweetey,
Precious and pretty!
{23}
_NEVER TELL A FIB_.
If mamma says she'll punish,
She must do it, or she tells
A fib, as Sister Annie
Told "a story" 'bout the bells;
And if mamma tells a fib,
Then surely children will,
And what a fearful thing,
Our home with fibs to fill!
{24}
_HUMPTY--DUMPTY_.
Humpty-Dumpty, hip-o'-to-hop,
Baby is crying, why doesn't he stop?
What does he cry for? his clothing is tight;
No wonder such things make baby a fright.
Humpty-dumpty, hip-o'-to-hop,
Baby was crying, but now he will stop;
What did he cry for? his clothing was wet;
No wonder such things should make babies fret.
Humpty-dumpty, hip-o'-to-hop,
Baby is crying, oh, when will he stop?
What does he cry for? his feet are a-cold;
No wonder such things should make baby scold.
{25}
Humpty-dumpty, hip-o'-to-hop,
Baby is crying, but soon he will stop;
What does he cry for? he had too much food;
No baby in this way can ever be good.
Humpty-dumpty, hip-o'-to-hop,
Baby is laughing and scarcely will stop;
What does he laugh for? Oh, when he feels well,
He always is happy,--'tis thus we can tell.
{26}
_HUSH-A-BYE_.
Hush-a-bye, baby,
On Grandmother's lap;
Hush-a-bye, baby,
And take a nice nap;
Hush-a-bye, baby,
What is it you say?
Your "teeth are a-coming,"
You're "ten months to-day;"
Well, babies must cry,
And Grandmothers must try
To comfort and hush them, but never forget
The little gums ache,
And little nerves quake,
Till little lips quiver, and babies must fret.
Hush-a-bye, baby,
We'll cool his hot gums,
Hush-a-bye, baby,
With tiny ice-crumbs;
Hush-a-bye, baby,
We'll rub hard and long
With icy-cold finger,--
See him list to my song!
{27}
Ah, babies are sweet
If their wants we but meet,
So why should we blame them when fretful and cross?
Let us find what is wrong,
And remove it ere long,
And we'll see that time thus spent is never a loss.
Hush-a-bye, baby,
What more can we do
Hush-a-bye, baby,
That will comfort you?
Hush-a-bye, baby,
We'll lay you down flat,
On your stomach, dear baby,
On Grandmother's lap.
{28}
Nor trot you a mite,
No matter how slight,
But, sure that your clothing is all dry and neat,
We'll loosen each band,
And with soft and warm hand,
Gently rub you all over from head to your feet.
Hush-a-bye, baby,
We will not forget,
Hush-a-bye, baby,
That hands may be wet,
Hush-a-bye, baby,
And soothe you sometimes,
When dry hands won't do it,
Hush, list to my rhymes!
{29}
And now we'll not nurse
Till the nursing's a curse;
Nor dose you, nor drug you, nor feed with sweet-meats;
Nor to soothe, will we try,
With old "Dame Winslow" by,
For our hopes for the babies, she ever defeats.
Hush-a-bye, baby,
We'll quiet his nerves,
Hush-a-bye, baby,
The truth it deserves--
Hush-a-bye, baby--
Even here to be known:
We will _quiet his nerves_
By _just calming our own!_
And our baby will feel
The sweet hush o'er him steal,
That brings with it soothing and comfort and rest;
And to slumber so soft,
His spirit we'll waft,
And then lay him away in his own baby nest.
{30}
_DON'T MAKE ME LAUGH_.
Dear Mamma, I've been laughing
For Uncle Ben and Pa,
And then for sister Lizzie
I talked "ar-g o-o" and "gar;"
And then a "little story"
For Dick and Cousin Jane,--
And now you, Mamma, want me
To laugh and talk again.
I'd like to do it,
Mamma, but if I even try,
I am so weary with it,
I'm sure I'd only cry!
Don't let them try, dear Mamma,
to make me laugh and crow,
I'll do it when I'm able,
for babies always do.
{31}
_BYE-BABY-BUNTING_.
BYE-BABY-BUNTING,
The Indians live by hunting,
And bring home many a beaver-skin
To wrap the little pappoose in.
And mother-squaw the baby'll tie
Fast on a board, and swinging high,
Will hang it up among the trees
To rock-a-bye with every breeze;
But our dear baby, snug and warm,
Shall rock-a-bye on mother's arm.
{32}
_TO BED WITH THE CHICKENS_.
Oh, put me in my bed, Mamma,
When chickens go to rest,
For I'm your little chick-a-dee,
So put me in my nest.
Yes, when the birds forget to sing,
And lambs forget to play,
You'll put your birdy in his nest,
Your lamb you'll fold away.
{33}
_DIVE ME SUDAR_.
Papa, when you dive me tandy,
Dive me only white,--
'Tause there's poison in the tolored,
Which my health will blight;
But you better dive me sudar,
Let the tandy be,--
'Tause I shall not want so much,
And that is best for me.
{34}
_'TAUSE I'M TROSS_
Mamma, 'tause I'm tross don't whip me;
I tan't help it, not a bit!
'Tis the tandy hurts my stomat,
And that mates me whine and fret.
Sometimes, too, I'm whipped for trossness
When the trossness tomes from meat; {35}
Thint how tiders drowl and drumble,
And then dive me food to eat
That will mate me well and happy,--
Wheat and oat-meal, rice and truit,
These will mate me dood and gentle,
'Stead of mating me a brute.
{36}
THE NEW BOOK.
COCK-A-DOODLE-DOO,
A picture-book for you,--
Keep it nice, and in a trice
Sing Cock-a-doodle-doo.
{37}
WHISKUM, WHISKUM.
Whiskum, whiskum, over the house,
Scud the cloudlets, still as a mouse;
Whiskum, whiskum, by-and-by
They'll pour rain-drops from the sky.
{38}
_THE JACK-HORSE_.
We will ride our Jack-horse
All the meadows across;
Oh no, do not whip him,
But feed him, my dear!
A handful of grass
In his mouth as we pass,
Will make him trot gaily,
And give us good cheer!
{39}
_HI-DIDDLE-DIDDLE_.
HI-DIDDLE-DIDDLE
Mother duck's in the middle,
Her baby-ducks swimming around;
With bills like a ladle,
And feet like a paddle,
No danger that they will be drowned
{40}
_THE RAIN_.
Come, rain, come,
That the water may run,
That the meadow grass may grow;
That the fruit and grain
O'er hill and plain,
May greet us as we go.
Come, rain, come,
That the water may run,
That the mill may make our meal;--
'Twill grind our wheat,
And corn so sweet,
When it turns the old mill-wheel.
{41}
_FEED THE BIRDIES_.
Feed the birdies, darling,
When the snow is here,
When there are no berries
On the bushes, dear;--
Scatter food out for them,
And they'll quickly come,
Hopping, singing, chirping
"Thank you for the crumb."
{42}
_ROCK-A-BYE_.
Rock-a-bye, baby,
Our darling is ill,
Rock-a-bye, baby,
We'll soon have him well;--
Rock-a-bye, baby,
Don't tremble with fear,
For that tends to make
His slight illness severe.
Rock-a-bye, baby,
Our darling is ill.
Rock-a-bye, baby,
We'll soon have him well;--
Rock-a-bye, baby.
Don't coax him to nurse,
For urging to eat
Only makes matters worse.
{43}
Rock-a-bye, baby,
Our darling is ill,
Rock-a-bye, baby,
We'll soon have him well;--
Rock-a-bye, baby,
No company 'round,
Not even the dear ones,
To make a loud sound.
Rock-a-bye, baby,
Our darling is ill,
Rock-a-bye, baby,
We'll soon have him well;--
Rock-a-bye, baby,
Don't rattle the papers
Nor whisper around,
Little nerves cut such capers.
{44}
Rock-a-bye, baby,
Our darling is ill,
Rock-a-bye, baby
We'll soon have him well;--
Rock-a-bye, baby,
Whatever is wrong,
Attend to his bowels,
Neglected too long,
Rock-a-bye, baby,
Our darling is ill,
Rock-a-bye, baby,
We'll soon have him well;--
Rock-a-bye, baby,
If he is too hot,
Undress him and bathe him;
But, ah! he is not.
Rock-a-bye, baby,
Our darling is ill,
Rock-a-bye, baby,
We'll soon have him well;--
Rock-a-bye, baby,
There is cough with unrest,
So we'll wring out hot flannels,
And cover his chest,
{45}
Rock-a-bye, baby,
Our darling is ill;
Rock-a-bye, baby,
We'll soon have him well;--
Rock-a-bye, baby,
He's perspiring, to pour!
We will keep up this treatment
A full hour more.
Rock-a-bye, baby,
Our darling is ill,
Rock-a-bye, baby,
We'll soon have him well;--
Rock-a-bye, baby,
Now dry him off neat,
And wrap him up warm,
And to-morrow, repeat.
{46}
Rock-a-bye, baby,
Our darling is ill,
Rock-a-bye, baby,
We'll soon have him well;--
Rock-a-bye, baby,
'Tis not in his chest?
Then place the hot flannels
Where he feels the unrest.
Rock-a-bye, baby,
Our darling is ill,
Rock-a-bye, baby,
We'll soon have him well;--
Rock-a-bye, baby,
He is moaning with pain,
And rolling his head,
And we pet him in vain.
Rock-a-bye, baby,
Our darling is ill;
Rock-a-bye, baby,
We'll soon have him well;--
Rock-a-bye, baby,
We will wring out from ice,
Linen cloths for his head,
All so cooling and nice.
{47}
Rock-a-bye, baby,
Our darling is ill;
Rock-a-bye, baby,
We'll soon have him well;
Rock-a-bye, baby,
If cold don't relieve,
Use hot and then cold,
And then hot, you perceive.
Rock-a-bye, baby,
Our darling is ill;
Rock-a-bye, baby,
We'll soon have him well;--
Rock-a-bye, baby,
We'll see that his feet
Are kept warm all the time,
And his clothes dry and neat.
{48}
Rock-a-bye, baby,
Our darling was ill
Rock-a-bye, baby,
But now he is well;
Rock-a-bye, baby,
No drugs, not a dose!
Yet he's over it finely,
Just hear how he crows
{49}
_THE SNOWBALL_.
Have ever you seen how a wee bit of snow,
To a big bouncing ball, just by rolling, will grow?
'Tis thus our wee sins, children, let to roll on,
Will grow big, bigger, biggest, till Satan has won.
{50}
_LITTLE BO-PEEP_.
Co' Nan, co' Nan, says little Bo-peep,
Co' Nan, co' Nan, up come the sheep;
They jump the ditch and scale the wall,
Where one sheep goes, they follow, all.
Co' dea', co' dea', says little Bo-peep,
Co' dea', co' dea', I'll shear my sheep;
Their wool so fine will make my coat,
My blankets and my hose to boot.
{51}
_THE TEA-PARTY_.
Ah! little ones, I'm sure there's not
A drop of tea in your weeny pot.
For water bright and milk so pure,
Alone will bring you health, be sure;
And health is beauty, health is cheer,
Health is happiness so dear.
{52}
_TELL IT AGAIN, MOTHER_.
"Tell it again, Mother,
Tell it again,"--
No matter what story she told
We children, would cry,
In the days gone by.
Before our years were old.
"Tell it again, Mother,
Tell it again,"--
No matter how weary and worn.
For we children knew naught
Of the care we brought,
Before our sense was born.
{53}
"Tell it again, Mother,
Tell it again,"--
And she, patient, and kind, and wise,
The tale would repeat,
Or the song so sweet,
And 'twas ever a glad surprise.
"Tell it again, Mother,
Tell it again,"--
Ah! you children, when children no more,
Will go back to the days
Of sweet babyhood lays,
And Mother's sage sayings con o'er.
{54}
_LITTLE JACK HORNER_.
LITTLE JACK HORNER
Sat in the corner,
Eating a morsel of nice brown bread;
"Have some pie, or some cake?"
"Nay, not I," with a shake
And a toss of his wise little head.
"For this bread will make bone,
And white teeth like a stone,
That will neither grow soft nor decay;
But rich cake and rich pie
Sure will break, bye and bye,
My good health, and that never will pay."
{55}
_LITTLE BOY BLUE_.
"Little Boy Blue, may I go with you now?"
"Yes, down to the pasture to drive up the cow."
"Little boy blue, what then may I have?"
A nice cup of milk as ever cow gave.
"Little boy blue, the milk must be set;"
"Yes, for 'tis thus the nice cream we shall get."
"Little boy blue, what will we do then?"
"We'll skim it and dash it, with 'churn, butter, churn.'"
"Little boy blue, what else can we make?"
"O, cheese, tempting cheese, and the dainty cheese cake."
"Little boy blue, is there anything more?"
"O, yes, puddings, custards and dainties, a store."
"Little boy blue, shall we eat of all these?"
"Simple food is far better for us, if you please."
{56}
_MISS VELVET-PAWS_.
Little Miss Velvet-paws,
Raveling out her yarn,
Catches mice, in a trice,
In everybody's barn.
Look out for velvet paws,
Do not trust them far,
For velvet paws cover claws
That will leave a scar.
{57}
_POLLY HOPKINS_.
Now little Polly Hopkins
Must surely know great A,
And B, and C, and D, and E,
F, G, H, I, J, K;
And L, and M, and N, and O,
And P, and Q, R, S,
And T, U, V, and W, X,
And Y, & Z, I guess.
{58}
_A, B, C_.
A Stands for Alligator,
B Stands for Ball,
C Stands for Cat in a cream-pot,
D Stands for Doll.
{59}
E Stands for East, or Ellen.
F Stands for Fay,
G Stands for Goat, a
Pen in,
H Stands for Hay,
I Stands for Indigestion,
{60}
J Stands for Jar,
K Stands for King, or Keepsake,
L Stands for La,
M Stands for Man, or Thousand,
N Stands for Nail,
{61}
O Stands for Oaken bucket,
P Stands for Pail,
Q Stands for Queen, or Question.
R Stands for Rose,
S Stands for Christmas Stocking,
{62}
T Stands for Toes,
U Stands for Urn, or Ulster,
V Stands for Vane,
W Stands for West, or Winter.
{63}
X Stands for Ten.
Y Stands for Yoke,
(with Oxen).
Z Stands for Zero.
& when you've learned your LETTERS,
You'll be a Hero.
{64}
C-A-T spells CAT,
That brought the kittens here;
D-O-G spells DOG,
That does, the puppies, rear.
C-O-W, Cow,
The mother of the calf;
O-X spells the Ox,
That's bigger, yes, by half.
{65}
B-O-Y spells BOY,
That's little brother Lou;
G-I-R-L, GIRL,
And that is sister Sue.
B-I-R-D, BIRD,
Just hear canary sing;
G-O-L-D, GOLD,
That makes a handsome ring
B-O-O-K, BOOK,
In which we learn to read;
C-O-O-K, COOK,
Supplies the food we need.
{66}
S-E-E-D, SEED,
From which we raise the plant;
S-I-N-G, SING,
Just hear the children chant.
B-A, BA, B-Y, BY,
And that spells BABY, love;
L-A, LA, D-Y, DY,
And that spells LADY, dove.
M-A, MA, R-Y, RY,
And that spells MARY, child,
E-D, ED, D-Y, DY,
That's EDDY, sweet and mild.
{67}
_THE KITTEN_.
ONE, two, (1, 2,)
Here's a kitten for you;
THREE, four, (3, 4,)
She will open the door,
FIVE, six, (5, 6,)
And your cream she will mix,--
{68}
SEVEN, eight, (7, 8,)
If you are too late,
NINE, ten, (9, 10,)
To cover the pan;
ELEVEN, twelve, (11, 12,)
And then you must delve,--
THIRTEEN, fourteen, (13, 14,)
To cover her sporting;
FIFTEEN, Sixteen, (15, 16,)
But while you are fixing,---
{69}
SEVENTEEN, eighteen, (17, 18,)
Remember I'm waiting,
NINETEEN, twenty, (19, 20,)
For butter a plenty.
* * * * *
To those who serve you, children, all,
Be gentle and polite,--
For thus are gentle-women known,
Or gentle-men, at sight.
{70}
_DOLLY DIMPLE_.
DOLLY DIMPLE, just for fun,
Stands to show us she is ONE.
Dolly and her sister Sue
Show that ONE and ONE make Two.
{71}
Dolly, Sue, and Nanny Lee,
Show that ONE with TWO make THREE.
Doll, Sue, Nan, and little Noah,
Show that ONE with THREE make FOUR
{72}
Doll, Sue, Nan, Noah, and Ben Brive
Show that ONE with FOUR make FIVE.
Now all these with Jenny Hicks
Show that ONE with FIVE make SIX.
{73}
One more, Ned, a baby, even,
Shows that ONE with SIX make SEVEN.
With these girls and boys, put Kate,
And the ONE with SEVEN make EIGHT.
{74}
All these eight, with Adaline
Show that ONE with EIGHT make NINE.
Now with these put Dick, and then
You'll see that ONE with NINE make TEN.
{75}
_IF YOU PLEASE_.
I hope my children never will
Say, "Give me" this or that,--
But, "If you please," I'd like a bun,
Or, "Thank you" for a pat.
{76}
_THE POOR LITTLE CHICK-A-DEES_.
TEN little chick-a-dees clinging to a vine,--
A speckled snake charmed _one_, then there were but NINE.
NINE little chick-a-dees,--one without a mate,--
A Sparrow-hawk caught _one_, then there were but EIGHT.
{77}
EIGHT little chick-a dees, by a 'possum driven,--
He caught _one_ and slaughtered it, then there were but SEVEN.
SEVEN little chick-a-dees hopping round the ricks,--
A Weasel came and captured _one_, then there were but six.
SIX little chick-a-dees watching Rover dive,--
He sprang ashore and seized _one_, then there were but FIVE.
{78}
FIVE little chick-a-dees pecking at the door,
Kitty-cat caught _one_, then there were but FOUR.
FOUR little chick-a-dees full of birdy glee,
_One_ was tangled in a net, then there were but THREE.
THREE little chick-a-dees dabbling in the dew,
A stone fell and crushed _one_, then there were but TWO.
{79}
TWO little chick-a-dees peeping just for fun,
A hungry Kite caught _one_, then there was but ONE.
ONE little chick-a-dee, mourning all alone,
Flew away to find a mate, and then there was NONE,
{80}
_HEIGH-HO, DAISIES AND BUTTER-CUPS_.
HEIGH-HO, daisies and butter-cups
Grow in the meadows for children to gather;
But cattle will shun them,
And farmers will burn them,
Because in their fields they are only a bother.
Heigh-ho, red-top and clover-bloom,
Filling the air with their sweetness and beauty,
Will yield without measure,
Their wealth of rich treasure,
Rewarding the farmer for doing his duty.
{81}
_THE PONY_.
Once 2 is 2,
Here's a pony for you;
Two 2s are 4,
But be careful the more,--
THREE 2s are 6,
For perhaps pony kicks;
FOUR 2s are 8,
And if so we must wait,
{82}
FIVE 2s are 10,
Till he's trained by the men;--
Six 2s are 12,
Before trusting ourselves,
{83}
SEVEN 2s are 14,
To ride him out sporting;
EIGHT 2s are 16,
But we can be fixing
NINE 2s are 18,
His food while we're waiting;
TEN 2s are 20,
Oh, yes, give him plenty,--
ELEVEN 2s are 22,
For then he will be gentle to--
{84}
TWELVE 2s are 24,
Us who feed and pet him more.
{85}
{86}
_BABY'S RECKONING_.
One little head, Ah! but what does it hold?
No matter,--it's worth its whole weight in pure gold.
Two big brown eyes, soft with Heaven's own dew;
No diamonds so precious, so sparkling, so true.
{87}
Three cunning dimples, one deep in her chin,
And one in each cheek--Ah! they're just twin and twin.
Four little fingers to clutch mamma's hair,
But sweeter than honeycomb, even when there.
Five, we may call it, with little Tom Thumb,
And that fist in her mouth is as sweet as a plum.
Six wonderful pearls her bright coral lips hide,
And the Kohinoor's nothing these pure pearls beside.
Seven brown wavelets are ever in motion,
And silken floss to them is naught, to our notion.
Eight little giggles run over with glee--
And more if you call them, so merry is she.
Nine songs, (they're Greek tho' to all but mamma),
Make us think she is destined, an Opera Star.
Ten toddling steps, but to us full of grace,
For our babe in our hearts ever holds the first place.
{88}
_TWO LITTLE PINK SHOES_.
Two little pink shoes standing by the head
Of our Nanny sleeping in the trundle-bed;
On the little table, waiting for the morn,
Two little pink shoes, our Nanny to adorn.
{89}
Two little bright eyes, peeping open wide,
Spied the little table, and the pink shoes spied.
Two little fat hands climbing up to catch;
Two little fat feet following to match.
Two little fat arms hug them to her breast;
Two little fat legs run to show the rest.
Never more a treasure can our Nancy choose,
That will give such pleasure as these two pink shoes.
* * * * *
In your work or your play,
When you read, talk, or write,
Sit always, my child,
With your back to the light,
{90}
_BABY PEARL_.
Now listen while I tell you, child,
That I am quite a grown-up girl,
For I can read, and spell my name,
While you,--why, you're just Baby Pearl.
I help mamma to "house-keep," too,
Although she says I make a whirl!
But I can wipe the forks and spoons,
While you, Ah, you're just Baby Pearl.
And then I dress myself, you see,
And comb my hair when not in curl,
And I can make my dolly's clothes,
While you, you're only Baby Pearl.
{91}
Tis true, mamma says I must be
"A very pattern little girl,"
Just all for you, and I shall try
Because, because, you're Baby Pearl.
* * * * *
_MY VALENTINE_.
Dearest little lover mine,
Sweetest, pertest valentine;
"Desht I'm two years old," he says,--
Blessings on his pretty ways,--
"'Tan't I be your valentine?"
Yes forever, lover mine,
Shalt thou be my valentine.
{92}
_FEE-FI-FO-FUM_.
FEE-FI-FO-FUM,
From the Spruce-tree comes the gum;
From the Pine the turpentine,
Tar and pitch,
And timber which
Is very choice and fine.
Fee-fi-fo-fum,
How from Spruce-tree comes the gum?
Soft enough;--the sticky stuff,
From seam and cleft,
Both right and left,
Flows out, and hardens, rough.
{93}
Fay-fi-fo-fee,
Nut-galls grow on the Oak-tree;
By tiny worms the nut-gall forms,
Like little ball;
And from Nut-gall
The Gallic Acid comes.
Fee-fi-fo-fade,
From Nut-galls, too, the Tannin's made;
While Acorns grow in group or row;--
And Live-oak long,
Makes ship-knees, strong,
That round the world may go.
{94}
Fee-fi-fo-fap,
We tap the Maples, and the sap
We find as sweet as sugar-beet,
Then boiling hard,
Our sure reward,
The maple-sugar treat.
{95}
Fay-fi-fo-fee,
See the graceful White-Birch tree,
With bark so light, so tough and tight
That Indians wrought
Canoes we're taught,
And paddled out of sight.
{96}
Fee-fi-fo-fap,
Hark and hear the Hemlock snap;--
Little spine so full of wind,
Heated, hops,
And jumping, pops,
And makes the bright eyes shine.
Fee-fi-fo-fur,
See the curious chestnut-burr;
Green and round, then turning brown.
Frost opens wide
Each prickly side,
And out the chestnuts bound.
{97}
Fee-fi-fo-fay,
Now the farmer makes his hay;
Grasses grow, which workmen mow,--
Toss every-wise,
Till sunshine dries,
Then into stacks, they stow.
Fay-fee-fi-fo,
See the farmer wield his hoe,
Lettuce, greens, then corn and beans,
With pumpkin-vines
Along the lines,
Where many a weed o'er-leans.
{98}
Fee-fi-fo-fog,
See the wriggling pollywog,*--
With funny tail; but without fail
This pollywog
Will grow a frog,
And lose his wiggle-tail.
[Footnote: Pollywog--Common name for poll wig, or tadpole.]
Fee-fi-fo-faint,
Colors, seven, the Rainbow paint;
Violet bright is first in sight--
Then indigo,
Blue, green, yellow,
Orange and Red,--the seven, WHITE.
{99}
Fay-fee-fi-fo,
Now you ask, "What makes Rainbow?"
It is the sun, my darling one,
Shines through the rain,
O'er hill and plain,
But see, the beauty's flown.
Fay-fi-fo-fear,
Don't you understand it, dear?
Raindrops fall, Sun shines through all,
Reflects beyond,
This beauteous wand
Which we the Rainbow call.
{100}
_THE OXEN_.
The oxen are such clever beasts,
They'll drag the plough all day;
They're very strong and tug along
Great loads of wood or hay.
They feed on grass, when green or dry;
Their flesh is beef, for food;
Their lungs are "lights," their stomach, "tripe,"
Their skin for leather's good.
Their hair men use in mortar, too,
Lime, water, sand and hair,
They nicely mix and smoothly fix,
For plastering, so fair.
{101}
For making soap their bones are used;
Their horns for combs we group;
Their feet are boiled for "neat's-foot-oil,"
Their tails for ox-tail soup.
Their heart-case forms a money-bag;
Their tallow, candles, white;
Their intestine, gold-beater's skin,
With which gold-leaf we smite.
Thus every part is useful made;
The same is true of cows,--
Except their ilk gives luscious milk
Instead of dragging ploughs.
{102}
Oxen and cows are "cattle" called;
They go in "herds," when wild;
But when they're tame, by other name,--
A "drove," _en masse_, they're styled.
Their little ones are "calves,"--and cows'
Rich milk produces cream,
Which butter makes, and nice cheese-cakes,
With curd, whey, and caseine.
And now 'tis funny, but 'tis true,
Some children young and mazy,
Have thought their eyes were used some-wise,
To make the ox-eyed daisy!
{103}
This cannot be, yet creatures' bones
Placed round trees, plants and bowers,
Will serve to feed just what they need,
To grow fine fruits and flowers.
{104}
_THE BROKEN PITCHER_.
"Sweet, my love, I'm sorry
That you did not tell,
When you broke the pitcher
Coming from the well."
"Oh, I thought you'd whip me,
Just as Betty did;
Then when she would ask me,
I would tell a fib."
"Sweet, my child, I never
Punish any one
For an accidental
Thing that may be done.
"Tell me always, darling,
Everything you do;
This will help to make you
Thoughtful, brave and true."
{105}
_THE ELEPHANTS_.
THE ivory for our combs,
From elephants' tusks is made;
The handles, too for many a knife,
And for paper-knives the blade.
The elephant knows a friend,--
And well remembers, too,
A kindly act, but ne'er forgets
The teasing of a foe.
{106}
_THE WIND_.
"What is the wind, Mamma?"
"Tis air in motion, child;"
"Why can I never see the wind
That blows so fierce and wild?"
"Because the Gases, dear,
Of which the air is made,
Are quite transparent, that is, we
See through, but see no shade."
"And what are Gases, Ma?"
"Fluids, which, if we squeeze
In space too small, will burst with force;"--
"And what are _fluids_, please?"
"Fluids are what will flow,
And gases are so light
That when we give them room enough,
They rush with eager flight."
{107}
"What gases, dear Mamma,
Make up the air or wind?"
"'Tis Oxygen and Nitrogen
That chiefly there we find;
And when the air is full
Of Oxygen we're gay,
But when there is not quite enough,
We're dull, or faint away."
_THE FOG_.
"What is the fog, Mamma?"
"Sometimes the air is light
And cannot bear up all the mists,
And then 'tis foggy, quite;
But when air heavier grows,
The fog is borne above,
And floated off, the cloudy stuff,--
Just see it, graceful, move."
{108}
THE RAIN.
"What makes the rain, Mamma?"
"The mists and vapors rise
From land and stream and rolling sea,
Up toward the distant skies;
And there they form the clouds,
Which, when they're watery, dear,
Pour all the water down to earth,
And rain afar or near."
_THE SNOW_.
"What makes the Snow, Mamma?"
"When very cold above,
The mists are frozen high in air,
And fall as snow, my love."
{109}
"And Hail?" "Tis formed the same;
Cold streams of air have come
And frozen all the water-drops,
And thus the hail-stones form.
"Now do not question more,
Dear child, but run and play,
I'll tell you of the Water, Fire,
And Light, another day."
"Oh yes, and dear Mamma,
Of Thunder, Lightning, too,
For I shall want to know it all,
So tell me, Mamma, do."
{110}
_TRUTH_.
Do not let "Mother Truth" find a falsehood all over,--
Amongst all her children, no, never a lie;
Stand for Truth, ye wee babies, for Truth, ye who're older,
For Truth while you live, and for Truth till you die.
All ye myriads of children this little book talks to,
Form now in each household a band for the Truth,
Do not let even a "white lie," and still less a "whopper,"
Find a place in your hearts, nor your heads, nor your mouth.
You know God is Truth;--and as you are His children,
You want to be like Him as near as you can;
Speak the Truth, live the Truth, be the Truth with Him,
And Heaven will have come, as Christ taught in his plan.
{111}
{112}
_HI-DIDDLE, HO-DIDDLE_.
HI-DIDDLE, HO-DIDDLE,
Pop-diddle-dee,
This Earth of ours, on which we live,
Is round as it can be.
Pray, then, what is a
Mountain, valley, hill?
They are but like little warts,
And pores, on orange-peel.
Hi-diddle, ho-diddle,
Pop-diddle-dee,--
Our Earth is swinging in the air,
As you can plainly see;-- {113}
Pray, then, what keeps it
Hanging up in space?
The Sun, my child, attracts the Earth
And holds it in its place.
Hi-diddle, ho-diddle,
Pop-diddle-dee,
A lovely Moon is shining for
This Earth of ours, you see,--
Held in its cradle
Ever since its birth,
Because our globe attracted it,
As the Sun attracts the Earth.
Hi-diddle, ho-diddle,
Pop-diddle-dee,
What I mean by globe, child,
You're wondering now, I see. {114}
A globe or a ball, dear,
Is what is round and true,
And that is why I'm calling it,
This Earth, a globe, to you.
Hi-diddle, ho-diddle,
Pop-diddle-dee,
Instead of globe I might have said
A _sphere_ for you and me;
For all the same, in truth,
Are sphere and globe and ball,
And _hemi_'s half so half this Earth,
A _hemisphere_, we call.
Hi-diddle, ho-diddle,
Pop-diddle-dee,
'T was once supposed the Earth stood still,
While Sun went round it, free;--
But now we've learned it well,
That 't is the Earth doth turn
Upon its Axis, as it's called;
And also round the Sun.
{115}
Hi-diddle, ho-diddle,
Pop-diddle-dee,
Our Earth in turning round,
How long may she be?
She turns on her axis
In a day, and a night,
But to go around the Sun
Takes a year for the flight.
{116}
_WHAT IS THE AXIS?_
Now you ask, "What is the Axis?"
With an apple I will show;
Place your thumb upon the stem-place,
And your finger at the blow;--
Now we'll just suppose the apple
Has a stem that passes through,
And this stem would be the Axis;
Now we'll whirl the apple, true,
Holding fast 'twixt thumb and finger,--
That's the way the Earth goes round
On its Axis, as we call it,
Though no real stem is found. {117}
And the two ends of the Axis
Have been called the Poles, my dear;
Yes, the North Pole and the South Pole,
Where 'tis very cold and drear.
Now we'll hold a bigger apple
At a distance, for the Sun;
Tip the smaller one a little,
And then slowly wheel it round
All around the larger apple,
And it represents the Earth
Circling round the Sun that holds it,
Ceaseless, in its yearly path.
Wondrous is the strong attraction
Of the Sun which holds in place
All the Planets in their turnings,
All the Stars that see his face;
But more wondrous far the power
That created Sun and us,
And that gave a form and being,
To this mighty Universe.
"The Universe!" now you exclaim:
"By the Universe, what do you mean?" {118}
'Tis the Sun and the Planets, and every thing known,
That we call by this Universe name.
Now the "Planets," you ask,
"What are Planets?" They're globes,
Some larger, some smaller than Earth,--
Which are swinging in space,
And are all held in place,
By the God-power that first gave them birth.
{119}
_HEAT AND COLD_.
Our earth has a _North Pole_,
Where 'tis very cold;
It also has a _South Pole_,
That's just the same, we're told.
But half-way between,
And all the way around,
We call it the _Equator_,
And heat doth there abound.
For there the sun shines always,
Though it goes north or south
Some twenty-three degrees or more,
And sometimes causes drouth.
The sun goes north, we call it.
But 'tis the earth instead,
That tips, and makes it seem the sun
Comes higher overhead.
And when the sun is northward
'Tis summer here, you see;
And when it's to the southward
'Tis there in same degree.
{120}
_HARLEY'S DREAM_.
I know a little brown-eyed boy,
His name is Harley Hart;
And with a naughty boy or girl,
Our Harley has no part.
He cons his lessons o'er and o'er,
And once he fell asleep,
With finger marking A, B, C,
As 'twere the place to keep.
And then he dreamed a funny dream--
The page jumps up to dance,
The letters laugh, and by and by,
Like imps they leap and prance.
{121}
Now Harley oft had wondered whence
The letters first had come;
And I'm afraid he sometimes wished
They all had staid at home,
Instead of teasing him with quirks,
And bothering him with names
That seemed to help him hardly more
In learning words than games.
One little imp squeaked: "I am _A;_
You could not be a man
Without me." Then another cried:
"I am E" and quickly ran,
Exclaiming: "And without us both
You could not have a h_e_ad."
Another says: "You'd have no l_i_mbs
If _I_ were lost or dead."
Then _O_, "You'd have no n_o_se nor t_o_es,
If it were not for me;"
"And what is more, were I not here,"
Says _U_, "yo_u_ could not be."
{122}
And thus they each and all lay claim
To parcel and to part
Of what he was, or what should do
With hand, or head, or heart.
They hung a ladder 'gainst the tree,
And clambered up and down;
They played a thousand pranks as wild
As any gipsey clown.
They whispered that they came from Rome,
And that, if rightly placed,
They'd serve our Harley with a feast
A king would joy to taste.
So when he woke and knew they were
The little mystic keys
That open Learning's gates so wide,
He loved his A, B, C's.
{123}
_OUR LANGUAGE KEY_.
A E I O U Y
We are small, and we are few,
But we're wondrous mighty, too,--
For no word can language wear,
Save in it we hold a share.
One of us in May is met,--
One is caught in every net;
One is in the clambering vine,
One, in Moon, must ever shine;
One's in you,--and all so shy,
The last is hiding in your eye.
{124}
THE SPEECH FAMILY.
The name of everything we know,
as _slate_, or _book_, or _toy_,
Is called a _Noun_.
All names are nouns; remember this, my boy.
A word that means to be,
to act, or to be acted on,
Is called a _Verb_; as _is_,
or _eat_, or _sing_; or he _is gone_.
{125}
A word that tells the color, form, or quality of things,
Is called an _Adjective_; as, _bright_, or _round_, or _softest_ wings.
A word that tells how things are done, as _quickly_, _bravely_, _well_.
Is called an _Adverb_; and I'm sure you many more can tell.
A word that's used in place of nouns, a _Pronoun_ we may call;
As, _I_ for mother; _you_, for James; _this_, _that_, for hoop or ball
A _Preposition's_ placed before a noun, and serves to show
Relation to some other word; as, Rover's _in_ the snow.
And then _Conjunctions_ join two words or sentences together;
As, man _and_ boy, or birds will fly _and_ winds blow o'er the heather.
Then _Interjections_, _Oh!_ and _Ah! Behold!_ and many another,
Express surprise, delight; dismay, far more than every other.
{126}
And these the _Parts of Speech_ we call; _Eight_ parts as you may tell;
And all the language you will know, when these you've studied well.
_NUMBER AND GENDER._
A NOUN or name that means but one,
Is called in the _singular number_;
But when it stands for more than one,
'Tis _plural_, child, remember.
* * * * *
A NOUN that is the name of males,
As ox, or horse, or father,
Is _masculine_ in _gender_, dear;
While cow, and mare, and mother,
And all the names of females, child,
Are _feminine_, 'tis true;
Now tell me all the names you know,
And tell their gender, too.
But you will find there's many a noun
Not male, nor female either,
As chair, and book; and such we call
In _neuter gender_--neither.
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ONE LITTLE CHICKEN.
ONE little chicken, two little chickens, three little chickens, dear;
Don't you see we add _s_, when more than one is here?
And this we do with almost all the nouns that may appear.
One little birdy, two little birdies, three little birdies soar;
The _y_ is changed to _i-e-s_ for birdies two or more;
And this, when a word shall end in _y_ with a _consonant_ before.
One little donkey, two little donkeys, three little donkeys bray.
But here the _y_ remains unchanged, and _s_ is called in play;
And this, when a word shall end in _y_, where a _vowel_ leads the way.
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_LETTERS._
A, E, I, O, U,
The _vowels_ we may call;
W, Y, are vowels too,
Whene'er they chance to fall
To the end of syllable or word.
And this we well may know
That all the rest are _consonants_;
Just nineteen in a row.
K, P, and T are called the _mutes_,
Because they interrupt
All voice or sound; while B and D
Can only intercept;
Hence these are partial mutes, my child;
And H is _aspirate_;
And _th_, too, in _th_ink and _th_rone,
But vocal in _this, that._
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Then lip-letters, or _labials_,
And _dentals_, or tooth letters,
With _palatals_ and _sibilants_
Seem wondrously like fetters.
But, ah! instead of prisoning,
They open wide the way
That leads to Learning's loftiest heights;
Press on, and win the day.
* * * * *
WORDS.
TELL me the name of something, dear;
As book, or ball, or kite;
Now tell some quality of each,
As big, or round, or light.
And now some word that means _to be_
Yes, _is_, my child, you're right.
The ink is black, The snow is white,
The ice is hard--is cold:
The sky is blue, The air is light,
Sometimes the child is bold. {130}
And thus let names of everything
Afar or near be told;
And Qualities of each and all
Let memory infold.
* * * * *
NOW give one name, and tell me all
Its qualities as well;
As, coal is black, and coal is hard,
And coal's inflammable.
And now, you children should be taught
That we need not repeat
The name, with every word that tells
Its qualities complete.
Coal's black, hard, and inflammable,
We say; but all so fast,
A comma follows after each,
With _and_ before the last.
And now use iron, chalk, and clay,
Use water, snow, and ice,
Use thread and needle, pin and pen,
Use every word that's nice.--
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ANOTHER lesson now attend--
We'll find some quality
Embraced by several different things,
As you will plainly see.
Snow is cold, ice is cold,
Salt is cold as well;
Snow, ice, and salt are cold, my child,
As every one can tell.
* * * * *
A SMILE.
"SHE smiled on me, she smiled on me!"
In ecstacy exclaimed
A little waif in tattered gown,
With form so halt and maimed.
Remember, even a smile may cheer,
A cup of water, bless;
A kindly word, sow seeds of joy,
Whose fruit is happiness.
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_TWINKLE, TWINKLE._
"Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
Up above the world so far,
Whisper now and tell me, pray,
What you are, and how you stay."
"Some of us away so far,
Planets like your own Earth, are;
And we shine with borrowed light,
Borrowed from the Sun, so bright.
"Some of us are silvery moons,
Shining all the nightly noons;
Some of us are jelly, soft,
Shooting, falling, from aloft.
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Some of us are Nebulae,--
Faint and misty stars we be;--
Some are Suns to other worlds;
Here and there a Comet whirls.
"Having each our time and place,
Swinging in the wondrous space;
Held in line by Him who planned,
And who holds you in His hand."
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OLD SOL IN A JINGLE.
Hi-diddle-diddle,
The Sun's in the middle,
And planets around him so grand,
Are swinging in space,
Held forever in place,
In the Zodiac girdle or band.
Hi-diddle-diddle,
The Sun's in the middle,
And Mercury's next to the Sun
While Venus, so bright,
Seen at morning or night,
Comes _Second_, to join in the fun.
Hi-diddle-diddle,
The Sun's in the middle,
And _Third_ in the group is our Earth;
While Mars with his fire,
So warlike and dire,
Swings around to be counted the _Fourth_.
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Hi-diddle-diddle,
The Sun's in the middle,
While Jupiter's next after Mars,--
And his four moons at night
Show the speed of the light;
Next golden-ringed Saturn appears,
Hi-diddle-diddle,
The Sun's in the middle,
After Saturn comes Uranus far;--
And his antics so queer,
Led Astronomers near
To old Neptune, who drives the last car.
[Footnote: Other planets are as yet too little known to claim place.]
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"_ROBERT OF LINCOLN_."
"Bob-o-link, bob-o-link, reed-bird, butter-bird,
All through the country his jingle is gaily heard;
Reveling in rice-fields he sweeps through the South,
While wheat, corn, and barley-fields welcome him North,
And Bobby is wild with his singing and chatter,
So saucily calling with rattle and clatter,
Bob-o-link, bob-o-link, Tom-denny, Tom-denny,
Come-now-and-pay-me-that-two-shillings-one-penny,
No,-I'll-not-wait-for-a-day-nor-a-minute,
So-pay-me-up-quick-or-you'll-get-your-foot-in-it;--
Chink-a-chee, chink-a-chee, chink-a-chee, chin-it,
Yes,-pay-me-up-quick,-or-you'll-get-your-foot-in-it."
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_LIMPY-DIMPY-DINGLE_.
Limpy-dimpy-dingle, chicky-bid would stray
To the trap that had been set for weasels, many a day,