ContentsToAlisonCunninghamIBedinSummerIIAThoughtIIIAttheSea-sideIVYoungNight-ThoughtVWholeDutyofChildrenVIRainVIIPirateStoryVIIIForeignLandsIXWindyNightsXTravelXISingingXIILookingForwardXIIIAGoodPlayXIVWhereGotheBoats?
XVAuntie\'sSkirtsXVITheLandofCounterpaneXVIITheLandofNodXVIIIMyShadowXIXSystemXXAGoodBoyXXIEscapeatBedtimeXXIIMarchingSongXXIIITheCowXXIVTheHappyThoughtXXVTheWindXXVIKeepsakeMillXXVIIGoodandBadChildrenXXVIIIForeignChildrenXXIXTheSunTravelsXXXTheLamplighterXXXIMyBedisaBoatXXXIITheMoonXXXIIITheSwingXXXIVTimetoRiseXXXVLooking-glassRiverXXXVIFairyBreadXXXVIIFromaRailwayCarriageXXXVIIIWinter-timeXXXIXTheHayloftXLFarewelltotheFarmXLINorth-westPassage1.Good-Night2.ShadowMarch3.InPortTheChildAloneITheUnseenPlaymateIIMyShipandI
IIIMyKingdomIVPicture-booksinWinterVMyTreasuresVIBlockCityVIITheLandofStory-booksVIIIArmiesintheFireIXTheLittleLandGardenDaysINightandDayIINestEggsIIITheFlowersIVSummerSunVTheDumbSoldierVIAutumnFiresVIITheGardenerVIIIHistoricalAssociationsEnvoysIToWillieandHenriettaIIToMyMotherIIIToAuntieIVToMinnieVToMyName-ChildVIToAnyReaderAChild\'sGardenofVersesI
BedinSummerInwinterIgetupatnightAnddressbyyellowcandle-light.
Insummerquitetheotherway,Ihavetogotobedbyday.
IhavetogotobedandseeThebirdsstillhoppingonthetree,Orhearthegrown-uppeople\'sfeetStillgoingpastmeinthestreet.
Anddoesitnotseemhardtoyou,Whenalltheskyisclearandblue,AndIshouldlikesomuchtoplay,Tohavetogotobedbyday?
II
AThoughtItisverynicetothinkTheworldisfullofmeatanddrink,WithlittlechildrensayinggraceIneveryChristiankindofplace.
III
AttheSea-sideWhenIwasdownbesidetheseaAwoodenspadetheygavetomeTodigthesandyshore.
Myholeswereemptylikeacup.
Ineveryholetheseacameup,Tillitcouldcomenomore.
IV
YoungNight-ThoughtAllnightlongandeverynight,Whenmymamaputsoutthelight,Iseethepeoplemarchingby,Asplainasdaybeforemyeye.
Armiesandemperorandkings,Allcarryingdifferentkindsofthings,Andmarchinginsograndaway,Youneversawthelikebyday.
SofineashowwasneverseenAtthegreatcircusonthegreen;
ForeverykindofbeastandmanIsmarchinginthatcaravan.
Asfirsttheymovealittleslow,Butstillthefasterontheygo,AndstillbesidemecloseIkeepUntilwereachthetownofSleep.
V
WholeDutyofChildrenAchildshouldalwayssaywhat\'strueAndspeakwhenheisspokento,Andbehavemannerlyattable;
Atleastasfarasheisable.
VI
RainTherainisfallingallaround,Itfallsonfieldandtree,Itrainsontheumbrellashere,Andontheshipsatsea.
VII
PirateStoryThreeofusafloatinthemeadowbytheswing,Threeofusabroadinthebasketonthelea.
Windsareintheair,theyareblowinginthespring,Andwavesareonthemeadowlikethewavesthereareatsea.
Whereshallweadventure,to-daythatwe\'reafloat,Waryoftheweatherandsteeringbyastar?
ShallitbetoAfrica,a-steeringoftheboat,ToProvidence,orBabylonorofftoMalabar?
Hi!buthere\'sasquadrona-rowingonthesea——
Cattleonthemeadowa-chargingwitharoar!
Quick,andwe\'llescapethem,they\'reasmadastheycanbe,Thewicketistheharbourandthegardenistheshore.
VIII
ForeignLandsUpintothecherrytreeWhoshouldclimbbutlittleme?
IheldthetrunkwithbothmyhandsAndlookedabroadinforeignlands.
Isawthenextdoorgardenlie,Adornedwithflowers,beforemyeye,AndmanypleasantplacesmoreThatIhadneverseenbefore.
IsawthedimplingriverpassAndbethesky\'sbluelooking-glass;
ThedustyroadsgoupanddownWithpeopletrampingintotown.
IfIcouldfindahighertreeFartherandfartherIshouldsee,Towherethegrown-upriverslipsIntotheseaamongtheships,TowheretheroadoneitherhandLeadonwardintofairyland,Whereallthechildrendineatfive,Andalltheplaythingscomealive.
IX
WindyNightsWheneverthemoonandstarsareset,Wheneverthewindishigh,Allnightlonginthedarkandwet,Amangoesridingby.
Lateinthenightwhenthefiresareout,Whydoeshegallopandgallopabout?
Wheneverthetreesarecryingaloud,Andshipsaretossedatsea,By,onthehighway,lowandloud,Byatthegallopgoeshe.
Byatthegallophegoes,andthenByhecomesbackatthegallopagain.
X
TravelIshouldliketoriseandgoWherethegoldenapplesgrow;——
WherebelowanotherskyParrotislandsanchoredlie,And,watchedbycockatoosandgoats,LonelyCrusoesbuildingboats;——
WhereinsunshinereachingoutEasterncities,milesabout,ArewithmosqueandminaretAmongsandygardensset,AndtherichgoodsfromnearandfarHangforsaleinthebazaar;——
WheretheGreatWallroundChinagoes,Andononesidethedesertblows,Andwiththevoiceandbellanddrum,Citiesontheotherhum;——
Whereareforestshotasfire,WideasEngland,tallasaspire,Fullofapesandcocoa-nutsAndthenegrohunters\'huts;——
WheretheknottycrocodileLiesandblinksintheNile,AndtheredflamingofliesHuntingfishbeforehiseyes;——
Whereinjunglesnearandfar,Man-devouringtigersare,LyingcloseandgivingearLestthehuntbedrawingnear,Oracomer-bybeseenSwinginginthepalanquin;——
WhereamongthedesertsandsSomedesertedcitystands,Allitschildren,sweepandprince,Growntomanhoodagessince,Notafootinstreetorhouse,Notastirofchildormouse,Andwhenkindlyfallsthenight,Inallthetownnosparkoflight.
ThereI\'llcomewhenI\'mamanWithacamelcaravan;
LightafireinthegloomOfsomedustydining-room;
Seethepicturesonthewalls,Heroesfightsandfestivals;
AndinacornerfindthetoysOftheoldEgyptianboys.
XI
SingingOfspeckledeggsthebirdiesingsAndnestsamongthetrees;
ThesailorsingsofropesandthingsInshipsupontheseas.
ThechildrensinginfarJapan,ThechildrensinginSpain;
TheorganwiththeorganmanIssingingintherain.
XII
LookingForwardWhenIamgrowntoman\'sestateIshallbeveryproudandgreat,AndtelltheothergirlsandboysNottomeddlewithmytoys.
XIII
AGoodPlayWebuiltashipuponthestairsAllmadeoftheback-bedroomchairs,AndfilleditfullofsoftpillowsTogoa-sailingonthebillows.
Wetookasawandseveralnails,Andwaterinthenurserypails;
AndTomsaid,\"LetusalsotakeAnappleandasliceofcake;\"——
WhichwasenoughforTomandmeTogoa-sailingon,tilltea.
Wesailedalongfordaysanddays,Andhadtheverybestofplays;
ButTomfelloutandhurthisknee,Sotherewasnooneleftbutme.
XIV
WhereGotheBoats?
Darkbrownistheriver,Goldenisthesand.
Itflowsalongforever,Withtreesoneitherhand.
Greenleavesa-floating,Castlesofthefoam,Boatsofminea-boating——
Wherewillallcomehome?
OngoestheriverAndoutpastthemill,Awaydownthevalley,Awaydownthehill.
Awaydowntheriver,Ahundredmilesormore,OtherlittlechildrenShallbringmyboatsashore.
XV
Auntie\'sSkirtsWheneverAuntiemovesaround,Herdressesmakeacurioussound,Theytrailbehindherupthefloor,Andtrundleafterthroughthedoor.
XVI
TheLandofCounterpaneWhenIwassickandlaya-bed,Ihadtwopillowsatmyhead,Andallmytoysbesidemelay,Tokeepmehappyalltheday.
AndsometimesforanhourorsoIwatchedmyleadensoldiersgo,Withdifferentuniformsanddrills,Amongthebed-clothes,throughthehills;
AndsometimessentmyshipsinfleetsAllupanddownamongthesheets;
Orbroughtmytreesandhousesout,Andplantedcitiesallabout.
IwasthegiantgreatandstillThatsitsuponthepillow-hill,Andseesbeforehim,daleandplain,Thepleasantlandofcounterpane.
XVII
TheLandofNodFrombreakfastonthroughallthedayAthomeamongmyfriendsIstay,ButeverynightIgoabroadAfarintothelandofNod.
AllbymyselfIhavetogo,Withnonetotellmewhattodo——
AllalonebesidethestreamsAndupthemountain-sidesofdreams.
Thestrangestthingsaretheseforme,Boththingstoeatandthingstosee,AndmanyfrighteningsightsabroadTillmorninginthelandofNod.
TryasIliketofindtheway,Inevercangetbackbyday,NorcanrememberplainandclearThecuriousmusicthatIhear.
XVIII
MyShadowIhavealittleshadowthatgoesinandoutwithme,AndwhatcanbetheuseofhimismorethanIcansee.
Heisvery,verylikemefromtheheelsuptothehead;
AndIseehimjumpbeforeme,whenIjumpintomybed.
Thefunniestthingabouthimisthewayhelikestogrow——
Notatalllikeproperchildren,whichisalwaysveryslow;
Forhesometimesshootsuptallerlikeanindia-rubberball,Andhesometimesgoessolittlethatthere\'snoneofhimatall.
Hehasn\'tgotanotionofhowchildrenoughttoplay,Andcanonlymakeafoolofmeineverysortofway.
Hestayssoclosebehindme,he\'sacowardyoucansee;
I\'dthinkshametosticktonursieasthatshadowstickstome!
Onemorning,veryearly,beforethesunwasup,Iroseandfoundtheshiningdewoneverybuttercup;
Butmylazylittleshadow,likeanarrantsleepy-head,Hadstayedathomebehindmeandwasfastasleepinbed.
XIX
SystemEverynightmyprayersIsay,Andgetmydinnereveryday;
AndeverydaythatI\'vebeengood,Igetanorangeafterfood.
Thechildthatisnotcleanandneat,Withlotsoftoysandthingstoeat,Heisanaughtychild,I\'msure——
Orelsehisdearpapaispoor.
XX
AGoodBoyIwokebeforethemorning,Iwashappyalltheday,Ineversaidanuglyword,butsmiledandstucktoplay.
Andnowatlastthesunisgoingdownbehindthewood,AndIamveryhappy,forIknowthatI\'vebeengood.
Mybediswaitingcoolandfresh,withlinensmoothandfair,AndImustbeofftosleepsin-by,andnotforgetmyprayer.
Iknowthat,tillto-morrowIshallseethesunarise,Nouglydreamshallfrightmymind,nouglysightmyeyes.
ButslumberholdmetightlytillIwakeninthedawn,Andhearthethrushessinginginthelilacsroundthelawn.
XXI
EscapeatBedtimeThelightsfromtheparlourandkitchenshoneoutThroughtheblindsandthewindowsandbars;
Andhighoverheadandallmovingabout,Therewerethousandsofmillionsofstars.
Therene\'erweresuchthousandsofleavesonatree,NorofpeopleinchurchorthePark,Asthecrowdsofthestarsthatlookeddownuponme,Andthatglitteredandwinkedinthedark.
TheDog,andthePlough,andtheHunter,andall,Andthestarofthesailor,andMars,Theseshowninthesky,andthepailbythewallWouldbehalffullofwaterandstars.
Theysawmeatlast,andtheychasedmewithcries,Andtheysoonhadmepackedintobed;
Buttheglorykeptshiningandbrightinmyeyes,Andthestarsgoingroundinmyhead.
XXII
MarchingSongBringthecombandplayuponit!
Marching,herewecome!
Williecockshishighlandbonnet,Johnniebeatsthedrum.
MaryJanecommandstheparty,Peterleadstherear;
Feetintime,alertandhearty,EachaGrenadier!
AllinthemostmartialmannerMarchingdouble-quick;
Whilethenapkin,likeabanner,Wavesuponthestick!
Here\'senoughoffameandpillage,GreatcommanderJane!
Nowthatwe\'vebeenroundthevillage,Let\'sgohomeagain.
XXIII
TheCowThefriendlycowallredandwhite,Ilovewithallmyheart:
Shegivesmecreamwithallhermight,Toeatwithapple-tart.
Shewanderslowinghereandthere,Andyetshecannotstray,Allinthepleasantopenair,Thepleasantlightofday;
AndblownbyallthewindsthatpassAndwetwithalltheshowers,ShewalksamongthemeadowgrassAndeatsthemeadowflowers.
XXIV
HappyThoughtTheworldissofullofanumberofthings,I\'msureweshouldallbeashappyaskings.
XXV
TheWindIsawyoutossthekitesonhighAndblowthebirdsaboutthesky;
AndallaroundIheardyoupass,Likeladies\'skirtsacrossthegrass——
Owind,a-blowingalldaylong,Owind,thatsingssoloudasong!
Isawthedifferentthingsyoudid,Butalwaysyouyourselfyouhid.
Ifeltyoupush,Iheardyoucall,Icouldnotseeyourselfatall——
Owind,a-blowingalldaylong,Owind,thatsingssoloudasong!
Oyouthataresostrongandcold,Oblower,areyouyoungorold?
Areyouabeastoffieldandtree,Orjustastrongerchildthanme?
Owind,a-blowingalldaylong,Owind,thatsingssoloudasong!
XXVI
KeepsakeMillOvertheborders,asinwithoutpardon,Breakingthebranchesandcrawlingbelow,Outthroughthebreachinthewallofthegarden,Downbythebanksoftheriverwego.
Hereisamillwiththehummingofthunder,Hereistheweirwiththewonderoffoam,Hereisthesluicewiththeracerunningunder——
Marvellousplaces,thoughhandytohome!
Soundsofthevillagegrowstillerandstiller,Stillerthenoteofthebirdsonthehill;
Dustyanddimaretheeyesofthemiller,Deafarehisearswiththemoilofthemill.
Yearsmaygoby,andthewheelintheriverWheelasitwheelsforus,children,to-day,WheelandkeeproaringandfoamingforeverLongafteralloftheboysareaway.
HomefortheIndiesandhomefromtheocean,Heroesandsoldiersweallwillcomehome;
Stillweshallfindtheoldmillwheelinmotion,Turningandchurningthatrivertofoam.
YouwiththebeanthatIgavewhenwequarrelled,IwithyourmarbleofSaturdaylast,Honouredandoldandallgailyapparelled,Hereweshallmeetandrememberthepast.
XXVII
GoodandBadChildrenChildren,youareverylittle,Andyourbonesareverybrittle;
Ifyouwouldgrowgreatandstately,Youmusttrytowalksedately.
Youmuststillbebrightandquiet,Andcontentwithsimplediet;
Andremain,throughallbewild\'ring,Innocentandhonestchildren.
Happyheartsandhappyfaces,Happyplayingrassyplaces——
Thatwashowinancientages,Childrengrewtokingsandsages.
Buttheunkindandtheunruly,Andthesortwhoeatunduly,Theymustneverhopeforglory——
Theirsisquiteadifferentstory!
Cruelchildren,cryingbabies,Allgrowupasgeeseandgabies,Hated,astheirageincreases,Bytheirnephewsandtheirnieces.
XXVIII
ForeignChildrenLittleIndian,Sioux,orCrow,LittlefrostyEskimo,LittleTurkorJapanee,Oh!don\'tyouwishthatyouwereme?
YouhaveseenthescarlettreesAndthelionsoverseas;
Youhaveeatenostricheggs,Andturnedtheturtleofftheirlegs.
Suchalifeisveryfine,Butit\'snotsoniceasmine:
Youmustoftenasyoutrod,HaveweariedNOTtobeabroad.
Youhavecuriousthingstoeat,Iamfedonpropermeat;
Youmustdwelluponthefoam,ButIamsafeandliveathome.
LittleIndian,SiouxorCrow,LittlefrostyEskimo,LittleTurkorJapanee,Oh!don\'tyouwishthatyouwereme?
XXIX
TheSunTravelsThesunisnota-bed,whenI
Atnightuponmypillowlie;
Stillroundtheearthhiswayhetakes,Andmorningaftermorningmakes.
Whilehereathome,inshiningday,Weroundthesunnygardenplay,EachlittleIndiansleepy-headIsbeingkissedandputtobed.
AndwhenateveIriseformtea,DaydawnsbeyondtheAtlanticSea;
AndallthechildreninthewestAregettingupandbeingdressed.
XXX
TheLamplighterMyteaisnearlyreadyandthesunhasleftthesky.
It\'stimetotakethewindowtoseeLeeriegoingby;
Foreverynightatteatimeandbeforeyoutakeyourseat,Withlanternandwithladderhecomespostingupthestreet.
NowTomwouldbeadriverandMariagotosea,Andmypapa\'sabankerandasrichashecanbe;
ButI,whenIamstrongerandcanchoosewhatI\'mtodo,OLeerie,I\'llgoroundatnightandlightthelampswithyou!
Forweareverylucky,withalampbeforethedoor,AndLeeriestopstolightitashelightssomanymore;
Andoh!beforeyouhurrybywithladderandwithlight;
OLeerie,seealittlechildandnodtohimto-night!
XXXI
MyBedisaBoatMybedislikealittleboat;
NursehelpsmeinwhenIembark;
Shegirdsmeinmysailor\'scoatAndstartsmeinthedark.
AtnightIgoonboardandsayGood-nighttoallmyfriendsonshore;
IshutmyeyesandsailawayAndseeandhearnomore.
AndsometimesthingstobedItake,Asprudentsailorshavetodo;
Perhapsasliceofwedding-cake,Perhapsatoyortwo.
Allnightacrossthedarkwesteer;
Butwhenthedayreturnsatlast,Safeinmyroombesidethepier,Ifindmyvesselfast.
XXXII
TheMoonThemoonhasafaceliketheclockinthehall;
Sheshinesonthievesonthegardenwall,Onstreetsandfieldsandharbourquays,Andbirdiesasleepintheforksofthetrees.
Thesquallingcatandthesqueakingmouse,Thehowlingdogbythedoorofthehouse,Thebatthatliesinbedatnoon,Alllovetobeoutbythelightofthemoon.
ButallofthethingsthatbelongtothedayCuddletosleeptobeoutofherway;
AndflowersandchildrenclosetheireyesTillupinthemorningthesunshallarise.
XXXIII
TheSwingHowdoyouliketogoupinaswing,Upintheairsoblue?
Oh,IdothinkitthepleasantestthingEverachildcando!
Upintheairandoverthewall,TillIcanseesowide,RiverandtreesandcattleandallOverthecountryside——
TillIlookdownonthegardengreen,Downontheroofsobrown——
UpintheairIgoflyingagain,Upintheairanddown!
XXXIV
TimetoRiseAbirdiewithayellowbillHoppeduponmywindowsill,Cockedhisshiningeyeandsaid:
\"Ain\'tyou\'shamed,yousleepy-head!\"
XXXV
Looking-glassRiverSmoothitglidesuponitstravel,Hereawimple,thereagleam——
Othecleangravel!
Othesmoothstream!
Sailingblossoms,silverfishes,Pavepoolsasclearasair——
HowachildwishesTolivedownthere!
WecanseeourcoloredfacesFloatingontheshakenpoolDownincoolplaces,Dimandverycool;
Tillawindorwaterwrinkle,Dippingmarten,plumpingtrout,SpreadsinatwinkleAndblotsallout.
Seetheringspursueeachother;
Allbelowgrowsblackasnight,JustasifmotherHadblownoutthelight!
Patience,children,justaminute——
Seethespreadingcirclesdie;
ThestreamandallinitWillclearby-and-by.
XXXVI
FairyBreadComeuphere,Odustyfeet!