The Fieldmouse

The Fieldmouse
~Cecil Frances Alexander
Where the acorn tumbles down, Where the ash tree sheds its berry, With your fur so soft and brown, With your eye so round and merry, Scarcely moving the long grass, Fieldmouse, I can see you pass. Little thing, in what dark den, Lie you all the winter sleeping? Till warm weather comes again, Then once more I see you peeping Round about the tall tree roots, Nibbling at their fallen fruits. Fieldmouse, fieldmouse, do not go, Where the farmer stacks his treasure, Find the nut that falls below, Eat the acorn at your pleasure, But you must not steal the grain He has stacked with so much pain. Make your hole where mosses spring, Underneath the tall oak's shadow, Pretty, quiet harmless thing, Play about the sunny meadow. Keep away from corn and house, None will harm you, little mouse.

The Story of Fidgety Philip

The Story of Fidgety Philip
~Heinrich Hoffman
"Let me see if Philip can Be a little gentleman; Let me see if he is able To sit still for once at table:" Thus Papa bade Phil behave; And Mamma looked very grave. But fidgety Phil, He won't sit still; He wriggles, And giggles, And then, I declare, Swings backwards and forwards, And tilts up his chair, Just like any rocking-horse- "Philip! I am getting cross!" See the naughty, restless child Growing still more rude and wild, Till his chair falls over quite. Philip screams with all his might, Catches at the cloth, but then That makes matters worse again. Down upon the ground they fall, Glasses, plates, knives, forks, and all. How Mamma did fret and frown, When she saw them tumbling down! And Papa made such a face! Philip is in sad disgrace. Where is Philip, where is he? Fairly covered up you see! Cloth and all are lying on him; He has pulled down all upon him. What a terrible to-do! Dishes, glasses, snapped in two! Here a knife, and there a fork! Philip, this is cruel work. Table all so bare, and ah! Poor Papa, and poor Mamma Look quire cross, and wonder how They shall have their dinner now.

Ferry Me Across the Water

Ferry Me Across the Water
~Christina Rossetti
"Ferry me across the water, Do, boatman, do." "If you've a penny in your purse I'll ferry you." "I have a penny in my purse, And my eyes are blue; So ferry me across the water, Do, boatman, do." "Step into my ferry-boat, Be they black or blue, And for the penny in your purse I'll ferry you."

The Father's Vineyard

The Father's Vineyard
~Anonymous
As round their dying father's bed His sons attend, the peasant said: "Children, deep hid from prying eyes, A treasure in my vineyard lies; When you have laid me in the grave, Dig, search-and your reward you'll have." "Father," cries one, "but where's the spot?" He sighs! he sinks! he answers not. The tedious burial service over, Home go his sons, and straight explore Each corner of the vineyard round, Dig up, beat, break, and sift the ground; Yet though to search so well inclined, Nor gold, nor treasure could they find; But when the autumn next drew near, A double vintage crowned the year. "Now," quoth the peasant's wisest son, "Our father's legacy is known, In yon rich purple grapes 'tis seen, Which, but for digging, never had been. Then let us all reflect with pleasure. That labour is the source of treasure."

The Exhortation of a Father to His Children

The Exhortation of a Father to His Children
~Robert Smith
Ye are the temples of the Lord, For ye are dearly bought; And they that do defile the same, Shall surely come to nought. Possess not pride in any wise, Build not your house too high; But have always before your eyes, That ye be born to die. Defraud not him that hired is, Your labour to sustain; But give him always out of hand, His penny for his pain. And as you would that other men Against you should proceed, Do you the same to them again, When they do stand in need. And part your portion with the poor, In money and in meat; And feed the fainted feeble soul, With that which ye should eat. Ask counsel always at the wise, Give ear unto the end; Refuse not you the sweet rebuke Of him that is your friend. Be thankful always to the Lord, With prayer and with praise, Desiring Him in all your works For to direct your ways.

An Evening Hymn

An Evening Hymn
~Thomas Ken
		All praise to thee, my God, this night, For all the blessings of the light; Keep me, O keep me, King of Kings, Beneath thy own almighty wings. Forgive me, Lord, for thy dear Son, The ill that I this day have done; That with the world, myself, and Thee, I, ere I sleep, at peace may be. O may my soul on Thee repose, And may sweet sleep my eyelids close: Sleep that may me more vigorous make To serve my God when I awake.

Evening

Evening (In words of one syllable)
~Thomas Miller
The day is past, the sun is set, And the white stars are in the sky; While the long grass with dew is wet, And through the air the bats now fly. The lambs have now lain down to sleep, The birds have long since sought their nests; The air is still; and dark, and deep On the hill side the old wood rests. Yet of the dark I have no fear, But feel as safe as when 'tis light; For I know God is with me there, And He will guard me through the night. For God is by me when I pray, And when I close mine eyes to sleep, I know that He will with me stay, And will all night watch by me keep. For He who rules the stars and sea, Who makes the grass and trees to grow. Will look on a poor child like me, When on my knees I to Him bow. He holds all things in His right hand, The rich, the poor, the great, the small; When we sleep, or sit, or stand, He is with us, for He loves us all.

Eletelephony ~Laura Richards

Eletelephony
~Laura Richards
Once there was an elephant, Who tried to use the telephant- No! No! I mean an elephone Who tried to use the telephone- (Dear me! I am not certain quite That even now I've got it right.) Howe'er it was, he got his trunk Entangled in the telephunk; The more he tried to get it free, The louder buzzed the telephee- (I fear I'd better drop the song Of elephop and telephong!)

Whole Duty of Children

Whole Duty of Children
~Robert Louis Stevenson
A child should always say what's true, And speak when he is spoken to, And behave mannerly at table: At least as far as he is able.

Now the Day is Over

Now the Day is Over
~Sabine Baring-Gould
Now the day is over, Night is drawing nigh, Shadows of the evening Steal across the sky. Now the darkness gathers, Stars began to peep, Birds and beasts and flowers Soon will be asleep. Jesus, give the weary Calm and sweet repose; With thy tenderest blessing May our eyelids close. Grant to little children Visions bright of thee; Guard the sailors tossing On the deep blue sea. Comfort every sufferer Watching late in pain; Those who plan some evil From their sin restrain. Through the long night-watches May thine angels spread Their white wings above me, Watching round my bed. When the morning wakens, Then may I arise Pure and fresh and sinless In thy holy eyes. Glory to the Father, Glory to the Son, And to thee, blest Spirit, Whilst all ages run.

Once in Royal David's City

Once in Royal David's City
~Cecil Frances Alexander
Once in royal David's city Stood in a lowly cattle shed, Where a mother laid her baby In a manger for his bed: Mary was that mother mild, Jesus Christ her little child. He came down to earth from heaven, Who is God and Lord of all, And his shelter was a stable, And his cradle was a stall; With the poor, and mean, and lowly, Lived on earth our Saviour holy. And through all his wondrous childhood, He would honour and obey, Love, and watch the lowly maiden In whose gentle arms he lay: Christian children all must be Mild, obedient, good as he. For he is our childhood's pattern, Day by day like us he grew, He was little, weak, and helpless, Tears and smiles like us he knew, And he feeleth for our sadness, And he shareth in our gladness. And our eyes at last shall see him, Through his own redeeming love, For that child so dear and gentle Is our Lord in heaven above; And he leads his children on To the place where he is gone. Not in that poor lowly stable, With the oxen standing by, We shall see him; but in heaven, See at God's right hand on high; When like stars his children crowned, All in white shall wait around.

The Cow

The Cow
~Robert Louis Stevenson
The friendly cow, all red and white, I love with all my heart: She gives me cream with all her might, To eat with apple tart. She wanders lowing here and there, And yet she cannot stray, All in the pleasant open air, The pleasant light of day; And blown by all the winds that pass And wet with all the showers, She walks among the meadow grass And eats the meadow flowers.

Covetousness

Covetousness
~Peter Idley
Covetousness hath never end, And where is no end, is no rest; Where is no rest, peace doth wend; Where is no peace, God is a guest; For God Himself made His nest Where peace made his bower, And there He dwelleth, our Saviour.

The Land of Counterpane

The Land of Counterpane
~Robert Louis Stevenson
When I was sick and lay a-bed, I had two pillows at my head, And all my toys beside me lay To keep me happy all the day. And sometimes for an hour or so I watched my leaden soldiers go, With different uniforms and drills, Among the bedclothes, through the hills; And sometimes sent my ships in fleets All up and down among the sheets; Or brought my trees and houses out, And planted cities all about. I was the giant great and still That sits upon the pillow-hill, And sees before him, dale and plain, The pleasant land of counterpane.

Answer to a Child's Question

Answer to a Child's Question
~Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Do you ask what the birds say? The sparrow, the dove, The linner and thrush say, "I love and I love!" In the winter they're silent - the wind is so strong; What is says, I don't know, but it sings a loud song. But green leaves, and blossoms, and sunny warm weather, And singing, and loving - all come back together. But the lark is so brimful of gladness and love, The green fields below him, the blue sky above, That he sings, and he sings; and for ever sings he- "I love my Love, and my Love loves me!"

A Child's Evening Prayer

A Child's Evening Prayer
~Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Ere on my bed my limbs I lay, God grant me grace my prayers to say: O God! preserve my mother dear In strength and health for many a year; And, O! preserve my father too, And may I pay him reverence due; And may I my best thoughts employ To be my parents' hope and joy; And O! preserve my brothers both From evil doings and from sloth, And may we always love each other Our friends, our father, and our mother: And still, O Lord, to me impart An innocent and grateful heart, That after my great sleep I may Awake to thy eternal day! Amen

Caterpillar

Caterpillar
~Christina Rossetti
Brown and furry Caterpillar in a hurry, Take your walk To the shady leaf, or stalk, Or what not, Which may be the chosen spot. No toad spy you, Hovering bird of prey pass by you; Spin and die, To live again a butterfly.

The Canary

The Canary
~Elizabeth Turner
Mary had a little bird, With feathers bright and yellow, Slender legs-upon my word, He was a pretty fellow! Sweetest notes he always sung, Which much delighted Mary; Often where his cage was hung, She sat to hear Canary. Crumbs of bread and dainty seeds She carried to him daily, Seeking for the early weeds, She decked his palace gaily. This, my little readers, learn, And ever practice duly; Songs and smiles of love return To friends who love you truly.

Buttercups and Daisies

Buttercups and Daisies
~Mary Howitt
Buttercups and daisies- Oh the pretty flowers, Coming ere the springtime To tell of sunny hours. While the trees are leafless, While the fields are bare, Buttercups and daisies Spring up here and there. Ere the snowdrop peepeth, Ere the croscus bold, Ere the early primrose Opes its paly gold, Somewhere on a sunny bank Buttercups are bright; Somewhere 'mong the frozen grass Peeps the daisy white. Little hardy flowers Like to children poor, Playing in their sturdy health By their mother's door: Purple with the north wind, Yet alert and bold; Fearing not and caring not, Though they be a-cold. What to them is weather! What are stormy showers! Buttercups and daisies Are these human flowers! He who gave them hardship And a life of care, Gave them likewise hardy strength, And patient hearts, to bear. Welcome yellow buttercups, Welcome daisies white, Ye are in my spirit Visioned, a delight! Coming ere the springtime Of sunny hours to tell- Speaking to our hearts of Him Who doeth all things well.

The Blind Boy

The Blind Boy
~Colley Cibber
O say, what is that thing called light, Which I can ne'er enjoy? What is the blessing of the sight? O tell your poor blind boy! You talk of wondrous things you see, You say the sun shines bright; I feel him warm, but how can he Then make it day or night? My day or night myself I make Whene'er I sleep or play; And could I ever keep awake With me 'twere always day. With heavy sighs I often hear You mourn my hapless woe; But sure with patience I may bear A loss I ne'er know. Then let not what I cannot have My cheer of mind destroy; Whilst thus I sing, I am a king, Although a poor blind boy.

What Does the Bee Do?

What Does the Bee Do?
~Christina Rossetti
What does the bee do? Bring home honey. And what does Father do? Bring home money. And what does Mother do? Lay out the money. And what does baby do? Eat up the honey.

Bed in Summer

Bed in Summer
~Robert Louis Stevenson
In Winter I get up at night And dress by yellow candle light. In Summer, quite the other way, I have to go to bed by day. I have to go to bed and see The birds still hopping on the tree, Or hear the grown-up people's feet Still going past me in the street. And does it not seem hard to you, When all the sky is clear and blue, And I should like so much to play, To have to go to bed by day?

A Baby Sermon

A Baby Sermon
~George MacDonald
The lightning and thunder They go and come; But the stars and the stillness Are always at home.

Where Did You Come From, Baby Dear?

Where Did You Come From, Baby Dear?
~George MacDonald
Where did you come from, baby dear? Out of the everywhere into here. 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. 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? I saw something better than anyone knows. Whence that three-cornered smile of bliss? Three angels gave me at once a kiss. Where did you get this pearly ear? God spoke, and it came out to hear. Where did you get those arms and hands? Love made itself into hooks and bands. Feet, whence did you come, you darling things? From the same box as the cherubs' 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 about you, and so I am here.

An Autumn Greeting

An Autumn Greeting
"Come," said the Wind to the Leaves one day. "Come over the meadow and we will play. Put on your dresses of red and gold. For summer is gone and the days grow cold."

At The Zoo

CLASSIC POEMS FOR CHILDREN

		At The Zoo
		~William Makepeace Thackeray
		First I saw the white bear, then I saw the black; Then I saw the camel with a hump upon his back; Then I saw the grey wolf, with mutton in his maw; Then I saw the wombat waddle in the straw; Then I saw the elephant a-waving of his trunk; Then I saw the monkeys-mercy, how unpleasantly they-smelt!

The Baby's Dance

CLASSIC POEMS FOR CHILDREN

		The Baby's Dance
		~Ann Taylor
		Dance, little baby, dance up high, Never mind baby, mother is by; Crow and caper, caper and crow, There little baby, there you go: Up to the ceiling, down to the ground, Backwards and forwards, round and round. Then dance, little baby, and mother shall sing, With the merry gay coral, ding, ding, a-ding, ding.

At the Seaside ~Robert Louis Stevenson

At the Seaside
~Robert Louis Stevenson
When I was down beside the sea A wooden spade they gave to me To dig the sandy shore. My holes were empty like a cup, In every hole the sea came up, Till it could come no more.

An Alphabet

An Alphabet
~Edward Lear
A A was once an apple pie, Pidy Widy Tidy Pidy Nice insidy Apple Pie! B B was once a little bear, Beary! Wary! Hairy! Beary! Taky cary! Little Bear! C C was once a little cake, Caky Baky Maky Caky Taky Caky, Little Cake! D D was once a little doll, Dolly Molly Polly Nolly Nursy Dolly Little Doll! E E was once a little eel, Eely, Weely Peely Eely Twirly, Tweedy Little Eel! F F was once a little fish, Fishy Wishy Squishy Fishy In a Dishy Little Fish! G G was once a little goose, Goosy Moosy Boosy Goosey Waddly-woosy Little Goose! H H was once a little hen, Henny Chenny Tenny Henny Eggsy-any Little Hen? I I was once a bottle of ink, Inky Dinky Thinky Inky Black Minky Bottle of Ink! J J was once a jar of jam, Jammy Mammy Clammy Jammy Sweety-Swammy Jar of Jam! K K was once a little kite, Kity Whity Flighty Kity Out of sighty- Little Kite! L L was once a little lark, Larky! Marky! Harky! Larky! In the Parky, Little Lark! M M was once a little mouse, Mousey Bousey Sousy Mousy In the Housy Little Mouse! N N was once a little needle, Needly Tweedly Threedly Needly Wisky-wheedly Little Needle! O O was once a little owl, Owly Prowly Howly Owly Browny fowly Little Owl! P P was once a little pump, Pumpy Slumpy Flumpy Pumpy Dumpy, Thumpy Little Pump! Q Q was once a little quail, Quaily Faily Daily Quaily Stumpy-taily Little Quail! R R was once a little rose, Rosy Posy Nosy Rosy Bows-y - grows-y Little Rose! S S was once a little shrimp, Shrimpy Nimpy Flimpy Shrimpy Jumpy-jimpy Little Shrimp! T T was once a little thrush, Thrushy! Hushy! Bushy! Thrushy! Flitty-Flushy Little Thrush! U U was once a little urn, Urny Burny Turny Urny Bubbly-burny Little Urn! V V was once a little vine, Viny Winy Twiny Viny Twisty-twiny Little Vine! W W was once a whale, Whaly Scaly Shaly Whaly Tumbly-taily Mighty Whale! X X was once a great king Xerxes, Xerxy Perxy Turxy Xerxy Linxy Lurxy Great King Xerxes! Y Y was once a little yew, Yewdy Fewdy Crudy Yewdy Growdy, grewdy, Little Yew! Z Z was once a piece of zinc, Tinky Winky Blinky Tinky Tinkly Minky Piece of Zinc!

All Things Bright and Beautiful

All Things Bright and Beautiful
~Cecil Frances Alexander
All things bright and beautiful, All creatures great and small, All things wise and wonderful, The Lord God made them all. Each little flower that opens, Each little bird that sings, He made their glowing colors, He made their tiny wings. The purple-headed mountain, The river running by, The sunset, and the morning, That brightens up the sky; The cold wind in the winter, The pleasant summer sun, The ripe fruits in the garden, He made them every one. He gave us eyes to see them, And lips that we might tell, How great is God Almighty, Who has made all things well.

A Light Exists in Spring

A Light Exists in Spring
~Emily Dickinson
A Light exists in Spring Not present on the Year At any other period -- When March is scarcely here A Color stands abroad On Solitary Fields That Science cannot overtake But Human Nature feels. It waits upon the Lawn, It shows the furthest Tree Upon the furthest Slope you know It almost speaks to you. Then as Horizons step Or Noons report away Without the Formula of sound It passes and we stay -- A quality of loss Affecting our Content As Trade had suddenly encroached Upon a Sacrament.

Above the Bright Blue Sky

Above the Bright Blue Sky
~Albert Midlane
There's a Friend for little children Above the bright blue sky, A Friend who never changes Whose love will never die; Our earthly friends may fail us, And change with changing years, This Friend is always worthy Of that dear name he bears. There's a home for little children Above the bright blue sky, Where Jesus reigns in glory, A home of peace and joy; No home on earth is like it, Nor can with it compare; And everyone is happy, Nor could be happier there.

The Division of the World

The Division of the World

“Take thence the world!” call’d Zeus from his high summit
To all mankind. “Take, that which yours should be.
As heritage eterne to you I grant it—”
Divide it ye, yet brotherly!”

Then did all hands to preparations scurry,
Both young and old industrious became.
The farmer seiz’d the produce from the country,
The Junker through the woods stalk’d game.

The merchant in his stores had riches hoarded,
The abbot chose the noble vintage wine,
The king had all the roads and bridges boarded
And claim’d: “the tithe of all is mine.”

Quite late, just as division was accomplish’d
The poet near’d, he came from far away—”
Ah! nothing more remain’d to be distinguish’d
A lord o’er everything had sway!

“Ah! Woe is me! for why should I then solely
Forgotten be, I, thy most faithful son?”
Thus did he make his accusation loudly
And threw himself fore Jove’s high throne.

“If thou to dwell in dreamland have decided,”
Replied the god, “then quarrel not with me.
Where wert thou then, when I the world divided?”
“I was,“ the poet said, “by thee.”

“Mine eyes did hang on thy expression,
Upon they heaven’s harmony my ear—”
Forgive the spirit, which, by thy reflection
Enrapt, did lose the earthly sphere.”

“What can be done?“ said Zeus, “for all is given;
The crops, the hunt, the marts are no more free.
Wouldst thou abide with me within my heaven—”
Whene’er thou com’st, ’twill open be to thee.”

The Sweetest Gift

The Sweetest Gift
~ J.B.Coats 1942 ~

One day a mother went to a prison
To see an erring but precious son.
She told the warden how much she loved him.
It did not matter what he had done.

She did not bring to him a parole or pardon free.
Brought no gold, no pomp or style to see.
It was a halo bright, sent down from heaven's light,
The sweetest gift -- a mother's smile.

She left a smile you can remember.
She's gone to heaven, from heartaches free.
Those walls around you could never change her.
You were her baby, and 'ere will be.

Ode to Joy

Ode to Joy
Anonymous

Wild and fearful in his cavern
Hid the naked troglodyte,
And the homeless nomad wandered
Laying waste the fertile plain.
Menacing with spear and arrow
In the woods the hunter strayed ...
Woe to all poor wreteches stranded
On those cruel and hostile shores!

From the peak of high Olympus
Came the mother Ceres down,
Seeeking in those savage regions
Her lost daughter Prosperine.
But the Goddess found no refuge,
Found no kindly welcome there,
And no temple bearing witness
To the worship of the gods.

From the fields and from the vineyards
Came no fruit to deck the feasts,
Only flesh of blood-stained victims
Smouldered on the alter-fires,
And where'er the grieving goddess
Turns her melancholy gaze,
Sunk in vilest degradation
Man his loathsomeness displays.

Would he purge his soul from vileness
And attain to light and worth,
He must turn and cling forever
To his ancient Mother Earth.

Joy everlasting fostereth
The soul of all creation,
It is her secret ferment fires
The cup of life with flame.
'Tis at her beck the grass hath turned
Each blade toward the light
and solar systems have evolved
From chaos and dark night,
Filling the realms of boundless space
Beyond the sage's sight.

At bounteous nature's kindly breast,
All things that breath drink Joy,
And bird and beasts and creaping things
All follow where she leads.
Her gifts to man are friends in need,
The wreath, the foaming must,
To angels -- visions of God's throne,
To insects -- sensual lust.