ieofunm :- - !..''-, **t1' l -**I' -OLIVX-PERCIVAL- THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES ,-y m flf THE SHINING SHIP ISABEL ECCLESTONE MACKAY HE EMBARKED ONCE MORE DOWN THE PATH THAT LEADS TO THE BUNS BACK DOOR THE SHINING SHIP And Other Verse for Children BY ISABEL ECCLESTONE MACKAY Author of "Up the Hill and Over," etc. ILLUSTRATED BY THElS^CUDLIPP NEW XBJr YORK GEORGE H. DORAN COMPANY Copyright, 1918, By George H. Doran Company Printed in the United States of America fs As a large proportion of the verse here printed ap peared at various times in St. Nicholas, the author wishes to make every acknowledgment of the kindness which has made this collection possible. The thanks of the author are also due to The Youth's Companion, and others for the same courtesy. 620019 LlBRAJtf CONTENTS PAGE THE SHINING SHIP 11 SPRING WAKING 12 THE WONDERFUL FISHING OF PETERKIN SPRAY ... 14 NAUGHTY JOHNNIE FROST 16 GARDEN RIVALS 18 A PROTEST 20 THE WHITE CAP 22 FATHER'S VALENTINE 24 A VERY EXCEPTIONAL ESKIMO 25 WHO TOLD? 27 A SPRING-TIME WISH 29 LISTEN TO THE RAIN 30 THE RIVAL ARTISTS 33 SUCH FUNNY THINGS 34 BEDTIME NOW! 37 SAILOR, TELL ME OF THE SEA 39 OUR HILL 41 THE WISH 42 SECRETS 44 BIG SISTER'S VALENTINE 46 HOP-SCOTCH 47 THE RUDE BOY 48 THE DUTCH-CUT 49 THE NEW CLOAK 50 LITTLE WONDERS 51 [Vii] CONTENTS PAGE THE WORM TURNS 53 JACOB UNRECOGNISED 55 LITTLE BLUE-EYED FLOWER 56 THE WIND FAIRY 58 THE VALENTINE REGAINED 60 SUNSET CITY 62 THE CRY-BABY 64 THE BALLAD OF THE FOUR YOUTHS 66 MOTHER'S SONGS 68 THE ATTIC WINDOW 70 MEHITABLE ANN 72 THE MORNING SUN 74 WHILE GETTING WELL 76 THE TELL-TALE 77 THE MERCHANTS 79 i DO! DON'T YOU? 80 MISTRESS SPRING-IN-A-HURRY 81 [viii] ILLUSTRATIONS He embarked once more Down the path that leads to the Sun's back door Frontispiece PAGE I think it's queer that boys should be Sent off to bed right after tea 21 It's the picture of a little girl With her hair cut straight across her face, Plastered down with a wave or curl 24 When he goes to ride, he starts his sleigh And never stops for a whole long day 26 This is the way Elizabeth draws, Isn't it funny? 32 One day I digged a 'normus hole 34 And if they said "Tut, tut!" that way, You'd be as wise and blind as they! 44 Hop-Scotch 47 "Clear the way here comes Miss Priml" .... 48 "Oh, what an ugly, squashy worm!" 54 Jacob Unrecognised 55 Something away inside of me Just loves Mehitable Ann! 73 A little bird sits on my window-sill 76 TheTell-Tale 78 [ix] THE SHINING SHIP ALL day I see the ships sail in, the sun upon their spars, And silently at night they pass between me and the stars. Oh, many, many ships there be, From Biscay Bay and China Sea! But never comes a ship for me, Across the flooding bars. All day I watch the ships sail out, so brave and gal lantly ; And while I sleep they sail away, impatient for the sea, Strange ways are theirs, where strange winds blow, Strange islands loom and strange tides flow But round and round the world they go And never wait for me. One day a shining ship shall ride at anchor by the quay; From her slow-furling sails shall shake the scents of Araby; She bears no name, she cannot stay; But on her decks I'll sail away, To China Sea and Biscay Bay Oh, she's the ship for me! THE SHINING SHIP SPRING WAKING A SNOWDROP lay in the sweet, dark ground. "Come out," said the Sun, "come out!" But she lay quite still and she heard no sound; "Asleep!" said the Sun, "no doubt!" The Snowdrop heard, for she raised her head, "Look spry," said the Sun, "look spry!" "It's warm," said the Snowdrop, "here in bed." "O fie!" said the Sun, "O fie!" "You call too soon, Mr. Sun, you do!" "No, no," said the Sun, "Oh, no!" "There's something above and I can't see through." "It's snow," said the Sun, "just snow." "But I say, Mr. Sun, are the Robins here?" "Maybe," said the Sun, "maybe"; "There wasn't a bird when you called last year." "Come out," said the Sun, "and see!" The Snowdrop sighed, for she liked her nap, And there wasn't a bird in sight, But she popped out of bed in her white night-cap ; "That's right," said the Sun, "that's right!" [12] THE SHINING SHIP SPRING WAKING (Continued") And, soon as that small night-cap was seen, A Robin began to sing, The air grew warm, and the grass turned green, " 'Tis Springl" laughed the Sun, " 'tis Spring!' [13] THE SHINING SHIP THE WONDERFUL FISHING OF PETERKIN SPRAY A FISHERMAN bold was Peterkin Spray, And he sailed and he sailed and he sailed away. And when he got there, he embarked once more Down the path that leads to the Sun's back door. "Ho, Ho," said the Sun, "here is Fisherman Spray, But the cook doesn't need any salmon to-day." "Too bad, Mr. Sun," said Peterkin Spray, And he sailed and he sailed and he sailed away, But the wind was so light that 'twas half past eight When he called his wares at the Moon-man's gate. "Fresh fish!" he cried, but the Moon-man said, "I never eat fish when I'm going to bed." "What a fussy old Moon!" sighed Peterkin Spray, And he sailed and he sailed and he sailed away, And when he got there, he exclaimed "My Stars ! I had almost forgotten to call on Mars." "Fine fish," cried Mars and he smacked his lips, "Charge a dozen or so to my next eclipse!" "O dear, O dear!" sighed Peterkin Spray, And he sailed and he sailed and he sailed away, [14] THE SHINING SHIP THE WONDERFUL FISHING OF PETERKIN SPRAY (Continued) And when he got there, he declared, "I wish I never, never had learned to fish. For some won't buy and others won't pay, And I'm tired, and tired of sailing away!" "I know what I'll do!" said Peterkin Spray, And he turned his boat down the Milky Way. He opened the Dipper (yes, honest, he did!) He popped in his cargo, and slapped down the lid. "Here's a kettle of fish!" laughed Peterkin Spray. And he sailed and he sailed and he sailed away. [15] THE SHINING SHIP NAUGHTY JOHNNIE FROST LITTLE Leaf," said young Jack Frost, "Pretty Leaf," said he, "Tell me why you seem so shy, So afraid of me? I protest I like you well In your gown of green You're the very sweetest Leaf I have ever seen!" "Run away," said little Leaf, "Prithee, run away! I don't want to listen to Anything you say. Mother-tree has often said : 'Child, have naught to do With young Johnnie Frost' I think That, perhaps, he's you!" "Nay, believe me, little Leaf, Pretty Leaf! Indeed To such silly, idle tales You should pay no heed! I protest a leaf so fair Need not bashful be There's no reason why you should Feel afraid of me," [16] THE SHINING SHIP NAUGHTY JOHNNIE FROST (Continued) "Well, perhaps," said little Leaf, "I will let you stay If you're really very sure You mean all you say? Do you truly like me best " "Yes, oh yes!" he said, "And, to prove it, pray accept This new dress of red !" Very proud was little Leaf, Whispering with a smile, : 'Tis a sweetly pretty gown, 'Twill be quite the style!" Then she chanced to glance around! "Oh!" and "Oh!" she said Every leaf upon the tree Wore a dress of red! [17] THE SHINING SHIP GARDEN RIVALS PANSY in the garden-bed To a Johnnie- jump-up said: "Surely you are not connected With the Pansy family tree? You are much too small and sickly, And your blossom fades too quickly Yet I heard some children saying That they thought you looked like me!" Johnnie- jump-up merely smiled: "You are tame and I am wild, But that there's a close resemblance Any little child can see. You are in the garden growing, I, outside, still there's no knowing But that you and I are cousins Nearer relatives, maybe!" Said the listening Hollyhock: "How you silly flowers talk ! I'm amazed such haughty spirit In such humble things to see! If you both were tall and graceful, If you wore a dress as tasteful As the one I wear, 'twere easy To excuse your vanity!" [18] THE SHINING SHIP GARDEN RIVALS (Continued") White Rose nodded to Rose Red, "Did you notice that?" she said. "Strange indeed, that homely flowers, Always boast how well they're dressed! Did you hear the Wind say lately ' Stiff things always think they're stately But for perfect grace and beauty Give me ' you can guess the rest!" "Doubtless he referred to me," Said Carnation Pink; "you see Some are born to grace and beauty 'Tis admitted by the wise And Carnation Pinks inherit Beauty, with the grace to wear it Not that I would boast about it, . Only well, just use your eyes!" Larkspur timidly peeped out: "What is all the strife about? Every flower has some beauty Don't you think so? Why, then, fall To debating with each other? Some like one and some another One, I know (his taste is famous) Likes the Larkspur best of all!" [19] THE SHINING SHIP A PROTEST I THINK it's queer that boys should he Sent off to bed right after tea When it's so jolly out of doors And there are lots and lots of chores A boy could do I don't see why They shouldn't be allowed to try. The day's so full of things to do I never seem to get quite through; There are so many plays to play The daylight seems to slip away Almost before I've quite begun My bedtime comes to spoil the fun! When I am big 'twill be all right For then I'll stay up most all night But mother's big, and mother said "I wish that I could go to bed! I feel so tired, little son, I'm always glad when day is done." (Wasn't that queer!) I said that she Could go to bed instead of me, But mother said, "That will not do Sleep is the thing for boys like you, [20] A PROTEST (Continued) I think it's queer that boys should be Sent off to bed right after tea. So you can grow up tall and strong And never find the day too long." "And will you take a long rest then, And never, never work again? When I'm a man will you be free To go to bed right after tea?" But mother only smiled and said "Yes, dear some time now run to bed!' [21] THE SHINING SHIP THE WHITE CAP ONE day a baby wave was born, Child of the tide was she, Safe circled by the warm young morn And cradled in the sea. And oh, it was a pleasant thing The bright new world to know, To wonder at the gull's wet wing And why it sparkled so! To smile back at the sky who sent A dress of dainty blue, To thank the wind who chuckling lent A neat white cap or two. Then came the kindly moon who gave A chain of jewels bright, (For every little baby wave Wears shining things at night!) And oh, 'twas just as sweet to lie Beneath the dancing stars, To watch the glistening ships sail by With silver on their spars 1 [22] THE SHINING SHIP THE WHITE CAP (Continued} To chase the boats of fishermen And spatter them with spray, To lift them high, so high ! And then To laugh and run away! 'Twas harmless fun, but, whisper low, That cap the sly wind lent Held magic and it made her grow Quite wild and turbulent. So when the kind moon went away She took her diamonds too, The angry sky grew cold and grey And took the dress of blue. The naughty wave began to fear And sought her mother's lap "My child, the cause is very dear, Take off that saucy cap 1" And when the cap was off, the day Grew bright, the sky shone fair And fast asleep the wavelet lay With sunbeams in her hair! [23] THE SHINING SHIP FATHER'S VALENTINE got the queerest Valentine I JL It's the picture of a little girl With her hair cut straight across her face, Plastered down with a wave or curl. If you'd see her stockings you would laugh, For they're made with rings like barber's poles, And she wears the oddest little frock, With no neck or sleeves but only holes. And I said, "Who is this little girl? I won't have her for my Valentine." Father laughed and said, "That's just as well Long ago she promised to be mine. "Once I sent that child a sugar heart, Saying, 'If you love me tell me so,' And she ate it all why, little son, That was mother, thirty years ago!" [24] IT S THE PICTURE OP A LITTLE GIRL WITH HER HAIR CUT STRAIGHT ACROSS HER FACE, PLASTERED DOWN WITH A WAVE OR CURL. THE SHINING SHIP A VERY EXCEPTIONAL ESKIMO SHALL I tell you a few of the things I know Of a very exceptional Eskimo? If you don't believe but believe you must, Many stranger things have been told on trust, And some of the strangest things I've known Occur far up in the Arctic Zone. In the Arctic Zone by the Great North Pole Lives this Eskimo, in a scooped-out hole In a great snow-bank that is mountain-high If you reached the top you could touch the sky! And his clothes he views with a proper pride, They are all white fur, with the fur inside. When he wishes his friends to come to dine He calls them up on the Polar Line And says, "Please come at the hour of two And partake of a dish of sealskin stew, With codfish oil and a water-ice And a blubber-pudding that's very nice!'* When he goes to ride, he starts his sleigh And never stops for a whole long day Lickety-whiz-z-z! Down a slope of white! And a reindeer carries him back at night, [25] THE SHINING SHIP A VERY EXCEPTIONAL ESKIMO (Continued) When he goes to ride, he starts his sleigh And never stops for a whole long day. While the polar bears from his path he warns By blowing one of the reindeer's horns! When he goes to bed it is not enough To hide his nose in a bearskin muff, But his ears he wraps, if it's very cold, In a feather-bed, and I have been told That he toasts his head for it really seems, If he didn't, the cold might freeze his dreams! [26] THE SHINING SHIP WHO TOLD? OUR teacher says there aren't fairies now, Nor ever was except in silly talk. She wouldn't b'lieve that yesterday I saw A really one down by the river walk! I did tho', and his eyes were green as green, He swung (he swang, I mean), upon a limb, And every swing he took he winked at me, And I well, I just up and winked at him! Said he, "There was a boy who ran away From school-recess this morning; are you he?" He looked so nice and jolly that I thought He wanted to be friends and said, "I be." "And can you be the lad I heard about Who carved a pumpkin-head and made a ghost, To scare your little sister into fits?" I said, "She always was more skeered than most." "And did you tell your cousin Julia Ann, To make her cry, that Santa Glaus was dead?" You bet I wasn't goin' to own to that, "Aw now, you go an' chase yourself!" I said. [27]" THE SHINING SHIP WHO TOLD? (Continued) His twinkly eyes got all so sparkly green, He grinned the widest grin I ever saw. "I see," he chuckled. "You're a bad, bad boy, I think, Horatius Jones, I'll tell your Maw!" Now what d'ye think of that? When I went in, Maw, she just sent me straight away to bed For playing truant and for scaring girls! "A little fairy whispered it," she said. [28] THE SHINING SHIP A SPRINGTIME WISH OTO be a robin In the Spring! When the fleeting days of April Are a- wing, And the air is sweet with knowing Where the hidden buds are growing, And the merry winds are going Wandering! O, to be a robin With a nest Built upon the budding branches East or West! Just to swing and sway and dangle Far from earth and all its tangle, Joining in the gay bird- jangle, With a zest! O, to be a robin Just to sing! Not to have the pain of hating Anything Just to race the foremost swallow Over hill and over hollow And the joy of life to follow Through the Spring. [29] THE SHINING SHIP LISTEN TO THE RAIN LISTEN to the Rain! Hear the merry sounds it makes As it falls and slides and shakes From the eaves into the street, Where its million tiny feet Hurry, hurry past the door, Followed by a million more! Listen to the Rain! How it gurgles with delight, Hurling from its dizzy height, Falling straight and falling true, Faster now and louder too See! The tardy drops and small Cannot keep the pace at all ! Listen to the Rain! Ah! It's angry now I fear 'Tis a scolding voice you hear! How it scolds the drooping trees, How it scolds the languid breeze, How it scolds the birds, poor things, For the dust upon their wings ! Listen to the Rain ! If you listen hard you'll hear [30] THE SHINING SHIP LISTEN TO THE RAIN (Continued) How the skies grow cool and clear, How the primrose lifts her head, How the mountain brooks are fed, How the earth grows sweet again With the coming of the Rain! [31] THE SHINING SHIP This is the way Elizabeth draws. Isn't it funny ? [82] THE SHINING SHIP THE RIVAL ARTISTS THIS is the way Elizabeth draws. Isn't it funny? That's a girl, she says, and she says that this Is our white bunny! Elizabeth's six and goes to school, She makes the letter "A" all right, but her "B's" like this And her "C's" no better- She makes a house stand on its steps Without a cellar, And doesn't attend to me at all When I want to tell her That houses never stand on steps , ( Or almost never) , She just goes on and makes a pig, The queerest ever! The only thing that she can draw Are pumpkin faces, And even then the noses go In wrongest places. Now I can draw. But teacher says I shouldn't scold her, Perhaps she'll draw as well as me When she is older! [33] THE SHINING SHIP One day I digged a 'normus hole. SUCH FUNNY THINGS THEY teach such funny things in school! I never say a word, But when it's four o'clock I just Can't b'lieve the things I've heard. They say the earth is rownd, just like A ball, and you can go For miles and never find the edge Though you try ever so ! [34] THE SHINING SHIP SUCH FUNNY THINGS (Continued") They say that should you dig right through, The other side you'c 1 find, And lots of China boys and girls With pig-tails down behind. (One day I digged a 'normus hole But, though I tried and tried And digged and digged, I never came Out on the other side) . They say the twinkly stars are not Hung up by strings at all But then you know they have to be Or else they'd surely fall! They say there isn't any sky Turned over like a bowl And that the blue's not blue at all But just a big black hole. And when the shiny sun goes down Like a great yellow ball Into the sea at supper time, It isn't wet at all! (But this, I think, is likely true, Because, beyond a doubt, If it got very soaking wet Its fire would go quite out.) [35] THE SHINING SHIP SUCH FUNNY THINGS (Continued) They say I do not see the moon Move right across the sky But then, you know, I do, as they Can see as well as I! dear! they say such funny things, I'm hardly sure I'm me, 1 hardly know the things I know Or see the things I see! [86] THE SHINING SHIP BEDTIME NOW! LITTLE leaves go to bed!" said the Wind thro' the trees. "If you stay out so long you will certainly freeze, I come from the North and I know what I know Some one's coming this way with a capful of snowl" Loud murmured the leaves, all a-flutter with dread "O dear Mother- tree, did you hear what he said? But the sun is so bright and the sky is so blue He was teasing us, mother, it couldn't be true! "Why 'twas only last week that we changed our green gown For this beautiful mixture red, yellow and brown Go to bed in these clothes? it just couldn't be done Please tell us, dear mother, 'twas but the Wind's fun!" The Tree shook her head and 'tis sad but 'tis true, Though she shook it so gently, a stray leaf or two Grew giddy and fell and the Wind laughed "Ho- Ho!" And gaily he flattened them out in a row. "Come on," called the Wind and he swept a low bow, "You'll have to come soon so you'd better come now ; [37] THE SHINING SHIP BEDTIME NOW! (Continued) Never mind your gay dress, what's a crease or a tear? In the scheme of creation it's not here nor there!" They fell and they fell, and they covered the ground And the Wind caught them up and he danced them around And he laughed a "Good-Night" as he clapped them in bed But the leaves were too sleepy to hear what he said ! [88] THE SHINING SHIP SAILOR, TELL ME OF THE SEA SAILOR, tell me of the sea, All the sights and sounds that be- When the shore has slipped from sight And the moon shines clear at night And there is no wind at all, Can you hear the mermaids call?" "Ay indeed ! Tis like a bell, Sweet and far across the swell Of the long cool waves, and soon You can see them 'neath the moon Smile and beckon ay, you can If you be a Sailor-man!" "Wondrous, Sailor, is the sea! Dreadful are the things that be! On a breathless day in June Have you seen the great typhoon Pounce with rending shriek and roar On the ship it's waited for?" "Mate was I, down China way, When the typhoon seized her prey Ay, indeed! The brig spun round Like a top on level ground, [89] THE SHINING SHIP SAILOR, TELL ME OF THE SEA (Continued) Then she lifted clear and free And plunged down into the sea!" "Sailor, tell me, is it true There's a sea no boat wins through, Where the air is never stirred By the rush of winging bird And the drifted wrecks lie by Rotting 'neath a burning sky?" "Ay, 'tis true ! But no man knows Where that sluggish current flows! Only dead ships find the place, Ships that go and leave no trace Many drift on that last tack, Never any ship comes back!" "Sailor, Sailor! Speak to me, Gaze not so across the sea! Bright it glitters in the sun And the day is just begun, Far and white the sea-gulls fly Why sits terror in your eye?" Slow the Sailor turned his head. "On a day like this," he said, "On a day like this, went down My good ship the London Town Ay, and not less lost is she For the smiling of the sea!" [40] THE SHINING SHIP OUR HILL r I ^EDDY and Jock and I play on a hill all day. A Its top goes up to the sky And Teddy and Jock and I Are sometime going to climb so high We'll hear what the star-folk say! Just us can play on the hill nobody else would dare ! Its feet slip into a lake, And some fine day we'll take Our luncheon of apples and Johnny-cake And see what it's like down there. There's a cave in the hill up there, so black it looks like blue! It hasn't ever an end But some day we intend To go right in and around the bend But it wouldn't be safe for you! [41] THE SHINING SHIP THE WISH ALEPRECAUN-FAIRY was pegging some shoes, (Tickety, tackety, tee!) With long curly toes, like the court-fairies use, All red like the sumach, in pairs made of twos "For fear they'd be lonely," said he! "O Shoemaker green, I have spied on you thrice! (Tickety, tackety, tee!) I have called your name once, I have called your name twice, And now, Mister Leprecaun, pay me my price!" "Ah, sure, if ye wish it," said he. "One wish ye may have for the sight of your eyes, (And only one, mind ye," said he.) "So take your time now, that the wish may be wise, For a wish comin' true is a bit of surprise!" (Tickety, tackety, tee!) "And what if I wish for a big, golden ball? (Tickety, tackety, tee!) And what if I wish for the blue sky to fall? And what if I wish for the great world-and-all?" "Just be pleasin' your fancy !" said he. [42] THE SHINING SHIP THE WISH (Continued') "But, Leprecaun, dear, tell me what would you do? (Tickety, tackety, tee!) For how can I know if the sky is real blue? Is the world-and-all heavy? I'll leave it to you" " Tis a bit of a handful!" said he. "And how if you wanted a million of things? (Tickety, tackety, tee!) If you longed for the rainbow and wished you had wings, And a gown of pink velvet and toffy in strings?" "Sure, I think I'd go crazy!" said he. : 'Tis plain ye can't choose," said the Leprecaun green, (Tickety, tackety, tee!) "So, since I've no time for a shiftless colleen, Sure, I'll give ye these shoes with a wish in between Ye'll find it there maybe!" said he. Ochone, and Ochone! He was up and away! (Tickety, tackety, tee!) And red as the sumach the fairy shoes lay With the wish in between and one fortunate day, " 'Tis the one wish I wanted!" said she. [43] THE SHINING SHIP SECRETS HOW do you think they make the dew? The wise men tell, but they don't tell true; For they are so very, very wise They can't see straight out of both their eyes; And a drop of dew is a simple thing- Just a pearl that slips from a fairy's wing. How do you think they make the snow? The wise men tell, but they don't know They are too wise to understand That every flake is made by hand, Yet of ninety million and seventy-three Each one is made quite differently. How do you think they make the rain? The wise men tell, but they don't explain That a rainstorm isn't a storm at all, But just the fairies playing ball Now listen hard and you'll surely hear Them laugh and gurgle and call and cheer! And the frost why, some wise folk insist That frost is merely a frozen mist; They are so wise that they cannot trace The wonderful weaving of fairy lace. [44] AND IF THEY SAID <( TUT, TUT," THAT WAY, YOU BE AS WISE AND BLIND AS THEY. THE SHINING SHIP SECRETS (Continued) But look at the windowpane, my dear, And you will see it as clear as clear. Now these are secrets if you tell Be sure you look about you well To see that no wise men are near, For they would say "Ahem!" I fear, And if they said "Tut, tut I" that way, You'd be as wise and blind as they! THE SHINING SHIP BIG SISTER'S VALENTINE THE house seems wrongside out to-day, Big sister acts the queerest way! At breakfast father said, "My dear, This tea is somewhat weak, I fear." And sister said, "I quite forgot To put the tea into the pot!" Then when she heard the baby fret She said, "Whatever's wrong, my pet?" It took some time for her to think She'd put no sugar in his drink. She made Bob's lunch for him, but why Did she forget to put in pie? Why did she put Ned's coat on me And laugh and say she "didn't see"? Yet all the time she looked so kind And smiled so nice we didn't mind. I said quite low to father "Say, What makes big sister queer to-day?" He whispered back, "Small son of mine, Big sister's got a Valentine !" [46] THE SHINING SHIP HOP-SCOTCH ALL day I play at Hop-Scotch And hop and hop and hop, And when I go to bed at night I dream I cannot stop, And all the world and everything Is one big hop-scotch square, With just one tired little girl Hopping and hopping there! [47] THE SHINING SHIP "Clear the way here comes Mist Prim!" THE RUDE BOY rjlHERE'S a boy that goes to school, M. Billy Jenkens is his name, And he's just the rudest teasel All the girls think it's a shame. If a girl has got red hair, He calls "Fire!" If she's fat And has freckles on her nose He calls "Seedcake!" just like that! Oh he is a nawful boy, I just never look at him And to-day he called at me "Clear the way here comes Miss Primf [48] THE SHINING SHIP THE DUTCH-CUT OH! If I could only have Dutch-cut like the other girls ! Every time I ask for it Mother says, "What! Spoil your curls?' Then she wonders why I hide In behind the parlour door, She just simply won't believe Curls aren't stylish any more! THE SHINING SHIP THE NEW CLOAK AFTER school I went to walk Down a street quite far away And I wore the new blue cloak Mother finished just to-day. Teacher's house is in that street And I thought perhaps if she Just should meet me or if I Should meet her, how nice 'twould be! Then I saw her and I hid Round a tree till she went by Oh dear me, it's quite too bad Teachers make a girl so shy! [50] THE SHINING SHIP LITTLE WONDERS I'D like to know the whisp'ry things The trees say to each other And what the stars mean when they laugh And wink at one another. I'd like to see inside the dark That girls are so afraid of, I'd like to feel the velvet stuff The summer sky is made of It looks so soft and thick and blue With not a wrinkle through it, The fairies iron it, perhaps, I wonder how they do it? I wonder if the noisy brook Is cross or only playing The birdies chatter all day long, I wonder what they're saying! The cow that jumped above the moon Did it fall down inside it? It must be there somewhere, you know, Where does the moon-man hide it? [51] THE SHINING SHIP LITTLE WONDERS (Continued) Does that cow give the milk that makes The milky- way, I wonder, And when it bellows loud, is that What makes the nimbly thunder? O dear! There's lots of things to know, But though big folks are clever And though I ask and ask all day They never tell me never/ [52] THE SHINING SHIP THE WORM TURNS A NAUGHTY child just pulled me out of bed. "O what an ugly, squashy worm!" he said, And he meant me! 'Tis strange how ignorant a child can be. I "squashy"? I, so gently born and bred, That rose-leaves make a pillow for my head, While in the heart Of some sweet bud I watch its petals part? And "ugly"? I, so slim, so full of grace That when my silky length is coiled in place, Brown row on row, A finer sight no summer day can show. I wish that I might take these children rough And show them where I live! 'T would be enough To make them stare In wonder and amazement and despair \ No child that lives has such a home as 1 1 For roof it has a bit of bluest sky So that the rain And dew and sun peep in and out again. [53] THE SHINING SHIP THE WORM TURNS (Continued) "Oh, what an ugly, squashy worm!" Its walls are hung with crimson and its floor Is strewn with golden pollen, and its door, All made of green, Is just the daintiest portal ever seen! My food is delicate. I daily fare On crumpled petals, dew-steeped, very rare Oh, happy I ! Until some naughty little child comes by! [54] THE SHINING SHIP JACOB UNRECOGNISED ONE day when I was lyin' in the grass Watchin' the little clouds a-sailin* by, I saw a Jacob's ladder all of gold, It started from a hole up in the sky. I was so scared an angel might come down I wriggled in the grass and lay quite flat You see, I ain't as good as I could wish, An' angels don't jes' take to boys like that. When I got home I told my Maw, because I thought that she'd be int'rested but pshaw! She jes' gave me a look an' said, "My son, Don't go a-tellin' fibs to fool yer Maw!" Now, Jacob's Maw b'lieved every word he said, An' told the neighbours an' made quite a stir, And got it put in the Old Testament But my Maw why, you jes' can't int'rest her! THE SHINING SHIP LITTLE BLUE-EYED FLOWER LITTLE Blue-eyed Flower Grows amid the clover, Bees and birds the long day through Hum and flutter over. "Dearie me!" sighs Blue-eyed Flower, "If I only had the power Just to fly and fly and fly Who would be as gay as I ?" Little Blue-eyed Flower Hears the water going Singing through the meadow-brook, Sees it flowing flowing! "Dearie me!" sighs little Flower, "If I only had the power Just to flow to meet the sea Then I would contented be.'* Little Blue-eyed Flower! When the sun is setting Red behind the distant hills You can hear her fretting. "Dearie me!" sighs little Flower, "If I only had the power To be big and round and bright Then the world would be all right.' [56] THE SHINING SHIP LITTLE BLUE-EYED FLOWER (Continued'} Little Blue-eyed Flower As the days go by her Sighs for something far away, Something stronger, higher, "Dearie me!" sighs little Flower, "If I only had the power!" So all day she sits and cries All the blue out of her eyes! Little Blue-eyed Flower, Sighing in the clover, He who made you what you are Will not make you over. But, bethink you, little Flower Is it true you have no power? What about your golden cup Where a honey-bee may sup? [571 THE SHINING SHIP THE WIND FAIRY THERE'S a fairy lives in the heart of the Wind, Like the mermaids live in the sea, Her face she hides but you hear her sing "Ou-ee, Ou-ee, Ou-ee!" When the Autumn comes and the days are grey And the Wind rides wild and high, She leaps to the back of an eager cloud And gallops across the sky. Then down she swoops with a shrill "Ho, ho," To whistle and call in the eaves, Or dance in the dust of the long white road With a swirl of bewildered leaves! With the soft West Wind she has songs to sing Of countries far and fair, And she calls to the birds with a word so sweet That they follow her everywhere. When the stars peep out on a summer's night She strays o'er the garden grass, And the blue-bells ring and the roses sway And jostle to see her pass. [58] THE SHINING SHIP THE WIND FAIRY (Continued) But her voice is sad when the rain- wind blows ; Like a child who is left alone She sighs all day to the whispering brook And sobs in an undertone. One day she came to the nursery door, And rattled the latch and cried! And tossed a leaf at the windowpane, Till I opened the window wide. I felt her pass and the curtains swayed And the pictures stirred on the wall But when I had shut the window, quick She was not in the room at all! I followed her out through the garden gate, I followed across the stream, Then I followed her back and in bed that night I followed her into a dream. I dreamed of a fine tea-party, spread High up on a tossing tree, With a nice white cloud for a table-cloth And the Wind Fairy pouring tea! [59] THE VALENTINE REGAINED WAY high up in the attic-room where me and Billy play, There's lots and lots of lovely things that mother's put away, And if we're good as good can be, why, we can have most all we see. To-day we found a curyus box, the lock of it was gone, And inside was a picture card with funny writing on, "O fairest Jane, my heart is thine, accept from me this Valentine." Billy, he didn't care for it but I thought it was sweet, The picture was an angel-one with clouds wrapped round its feet. From what it said inside 'twas plain the angel must have been called Jane. I went straight down where mother was, to let her have a look, Before I pasted it away in my new pasting-book, But, when my mother saw it, she just took it right away from me. She looked so funny and her face got such a lovely red, [60] THE SHINING SHIP THE VALENTINE REGAINED (Continued) "Why, it's my Valentine you've found!" was what my mother said, And then she hid away her eyes, just like our Billy when he cries. Only a minute though and then she smiled so sweet at me, "Oh, what a puzzled face!" she said and took me on her knee "Why, mother's name was Jane, you know, Oh long and long and long ago!" [61] THE SHINING SHIP SUNSET CITY Q UNSET CITY lies along Twilight's k./ smooth, grey sea, And a river wanders there, Flowing from no man knows where Swiftly, silently! Glitt'ring palaces outline where the river flows, Citadels without a name Silhouette their towers in flame Crimson, gold and rose. Quiet streets wind up and up to a magic height, And the wond'ring eyes behold Pavements of aerial gold Delicate as light. From the stately battlements banners flaunt and fall, Lances gleam and pennons float, (Hark! was that a bugle's note? Or a wild bird's call?) Stately galleons anchor there in the Twilight sea, Tyrian purple are their sails And their decks are piled with bales Wonderful to see. [62] THE SHINING SHIP SUNSET CITY (Continued) Why these silent fleets sail in none has ever said Do the fairies come to buy When the stars are in the sky And we're safe in bed? Ah, if you would answer that, you must find the way To this lovely Sunset Town With the river winding down To the close of Day! [63] THE SHINING SHIP THE CRY-BABY OME, O my!" Sighed the April sky, "My tears go pitter-patter, Yet why 'tis so I do not know For there's not a thing the matter ! "I am really gay, In an April way, But, should I indulge in laughter, (Omy, Ome!) There is sure to be A terrible shower after! "I should love to smile Just a little while, For the robins sound so cheery! But my eyes of blue Have scarce peeped through Before they are dull and teary. "I fairly hate To be thought sedate And fickle and fond of sighing And the world won't see [64] THE SHINING SHIP THE CRY-BABY (Continued) (Omy, Ome!) That it's not my fault I'm crying. "For the fact appears That without my tears There'd not be a green thing showing, And an April sky Has to cry and cry Just to start the earth a-growing!" [65] THE SHINING SHIP THE BALLAD OF THE FOUR YOUTHS A YOUTH to the hilltop glanced and said, "The summit's the place for me, And day by day I shall force my way To the height that I dimly see. And nothing shall charm me to turn aside, And nothing shall turn me back Not even a heed for another's need Or care for another's lack. "For there're very few folk on the hilltop, And millions of men below ' When a man would reign, what's a little pain? It isn't his pain, you know!" A youth to the hilltop glanced and said, "There is room at the top. I see, In this crowded race, 'tis the only place For a sensitive chap like me! When the people learn of my just desert They'll bring me the gilded car, Which is all I need to attain with speed The place where the laurels are. "For there're very few folk on the hilltop, And nothing at all to do, 'Twill be quite my line just to sit and shine And praise the extensive view!" [66] THE SHINING SHIP THE BALLAD OF THE FOUR YOUTHS (Continued) A youth to the hilltop glanced and said, "I crave for the purer air And the brighter light and the wider sight And the peace which is found up there! I shrink from the roar of the market-place And the folk that I mix with here I am rare and fine and my soul can't shine In so murky an atmosphere. "For there're very few folk on the hilltop, The crowd you can leave by the way, And to worship art as a thing apart Is to be of a finer clay." A youth to the hilltop glanced and said, "I'll aim for the highest seat, But how fine 'twould be could I take with me The dozens of friends I meet!" But he never sat in the seat he craved, For he wasted time on a song, And he cleared the road and he bore a load For a traveller not as strong. For there're very few folk on the hilltop, And millions of men on the plain, And another's need interferes with speed, With nothing but love to gain. [67] THE SHINING SHIP MOTHER'S SONGS OUR mother sings quite different songs From those we learn at school And we all think that mother's songs Are nicer as a rule There's one quite lovely one that tells About "Sweet Ella Rhree," And one of "Darling Nellie Gray," And one of "Rosa Lee." And one about a "Minstrel Boy," Who to the war has gone, And all about his father's sword That he has girded on. There's one about "Toll, Toll the Bell," (For dark eyed laughing Nell), And one called "Swinging in the Lane," I like it specially well. Another one goes very high About an "Evening Star," And "Blue Alsatian Mountains," too, (I wonder where they are!) [68] ' THE SHINING SHIP MOTHER'S SONGS (Continued") In fact the songs we sing at school Are just plain everyday, But all the songs that mother sings Seem far and far away! [69] THE SHINING SHIP THE ATTIC WINDOW OF all the windows in our house, I like the attic window best; Because it's high and small and round, And oh, so different from the rest! He sees my books upon the shelf, For every single way you look Is like a fairy picture-book! Such lovely things there are outside! Red chimney-stacks, and near, blue sky, And fat cats walking on the roofs, And baby cloudlets skipping by; And pigeons cooing on the sill, So I can stroke them, if I will! The smoke plumes from the chimney-stacks Are banners waving to and fro, While gallant knights, with prancing steeds, Through the long roof -lanes come and go. The clouds at sunset often hold Great palaces of shining gold. The wind comes rushing 'round the eaves, Shakes the loose catch, and cries, "How do?" Then whirls away to chase the birds And tumble down a nest or two; [70] THE SHINING SHIP THE ATTIC WINDOW (Continued) But though he's rough as he can be, He always has a laugh for me. The sun steps in and cries, "Hello! Here's just the place I'm looking for!' He sees my books upon the shelf, He sees my toys upon the floor And then he sees me sitting there, And runs warm fingers through my hair. Just think ! if some day I should be A great white bird with beating wing, And from my window fly away Over the edge of everything, Oh, wouldn't it be fine to know Where all the summer daytimes go ! [71] THE SHINING SHIP MEHITABLE ANN I LOVE Mehitable Ann! Last night my sister said: "Mehitable Ann is far from new; I'd put her away if I were you Love Princess Pry instead 1" But I love Mehitable Ann! And I can't love Pry instead. If Mehitable's cheeks are pale and white ; They lost their red that awful night The puppy chewed her head. And I love Mehitable Ann She can't help being thin, And there isn't a single reason why She can't be as plump as Princess Pry If I put more sawdust in. The Princess Pry is nice ; And so is teeny Nan She's in-de-struct-i-ble, too, you see But something away inside of me Just loves Mehitable Ann! [72] THE SHINING SHIP Something away inside of me Just loves Mehitable Ann ! [T3] THE SHINING SHIP THE MORNING SUN I LIKE the sun of afternoon So golden and so mellow; I like the sun who goes to bed Wrapped up in red and yellow; But I don't like the morning sun, I never get my dream-thinks done He's such a saucy fellow! When I am just, say, half awake, He's at my window peeping, And, though I shut my eyes hard-tight, I feel him coming, creeping Across the carpet to my bed, No matter how I turn my head, It means "good-bye" to sleeping! He dances on my eyes, and shouts "Hi, there ! get up this minute ! There's something doing out of doors ; Look sharp ! You won't be in it ! I do so hate to hear you snore. The birds are up this hour or more Hark! Don't you hear that linnet?" Now that might be all right, you know, If one were really lazy; [74] THE SHINING SHIP THE MORNING SUN (Continued) But when one only likes to lie With thoughts all dreamy-hazy And misty-queer, it seems a sin To have that Mr. Sun dance in To drive a person crazy! [75] THE SHINING SHIP WHILE GETTING WELL A LITTLE bird sits on my -window-sill And winks his eye at me and says, "Hello! Sick are you? Why, whatever 's wrong? I'm never sick, you know!" i And, just at breakfast-time, in comes the Sun To make queer wiggly patterns on the wall And laugh and say, "Oh, lazy-bones, get up ! You are not sick at all!" And when I shut my eyes I hear the brook Calling and calling as it hurries by I can't lie still! I'm hot and mis' r able I'm 'fraid I've got to cry! The leaves just whisper, whisper all the time! The little clouds all hurry by so quick! And nothing seems to care a speck about A little child that's sick! Oh! Here's the Wind I How cool his fingers are! He steals across the bed and feels my hands And my hot head, and doesn't say a word I think he understands I [76] A LITTLE BIRD SITS ON MY WINDOW-SILL THE SHINING SHIP THE TELL-TALE WE used to like the little birds, We thought them good and kind ; We never took a single egg ('Less we left lots behind), And every morning me and Bill Put crumbs upon the window-sill ! There was a Robin used to hop Right close beside our door, He'd cock his saucy head and say: "Please, boy, I want some more," And I would say: "Here's more for you And some for Mrs. Robin, too." But one day Bill and me went down To paddle in the stream And fell splash in! We'd sense enough To know we mustn't scream. And when we'd dried our clothes quite well You couldn't hardly, poss'bly tell! But when we both got home that night Our mother knew it all. She knew how we'd been soaJdn' wet, And how we came to fall [77] THE SHINING SHIP THE TELL-TALE (Continued) And when she tucked us up in bed, "A little birdie told!" she said. Bill thinks it was the Robin, and He feels just mighty sore; He says: "That bird can get his crumbs At some one else's door!'* I just can't hardly b'lieve that he Would go and tell on Bill and me! [78] THE SHINING SHIP THE MERCHANTS I AM the Frost, I'll show you diamonds, laces and tapes tries Of all variety at lowest cost; Weavings of chaste design Perfect in every line ; Connoisseurs surely will buy of the Frost. I am the Dew. Notice my elegant bracelets and necklaces, All of rare quality; pearls not a few; Emerald and amethyst; Opal all rainbow kissed; Ladies rise early to buy of the Dew. I am the Snow. Let me display for you carpets most exquisite. Choicest of bordering also I show, Heavy and soft and white, Spread in a single night; Folk who have wisdom will buy of the Snow. I am the Rain. Something I'll show you priceless and wonderful, Making these offers seem tawdry and vain! 'Tis but a cloak of grey Wrapping the world away Happy the few who will buy of the Rain. [79] THE SHINING SHIP I DO! DON'T YOU? SUMMER," said the humming Bee, "Summer is the time for me! Richest fields of luscious clover, Honey-cups all brimming over, Not a cloud the long day through! I like Summer best don't you?" Said the dainty Primrose sweet: "Summer is the time of heat. In the Spring when birds are calling And the crystal rain is falling All the world is cool and new I I like Springtime best don't you?" Said the Apple : "Not at all, There's no season like the Fall ! Golden skies thro' soft mist glowing Where the golden-rod is growing, Reaping done and harvest through I like Autumn best don't you?" Said the Holly: "It is clear Of all seasons of the year Winter is the best and dearest, Winds are stillest, skies are clearest Snowballs, sleighrides, Christmas whew! I like Winter best don't you? 33 [80] THE SHINING SHIP MISTRESS SPRING-IN-A-HURRY DEARIE O Me ! I am quite in a flutter, I've forgotten to churn the new butter-cup's butter, I've forgotten to set all the lily-bells ringing, I've forgotten to tune up the robins for singing, Dearie O me, and Dearie O my! Was ever a Springtime so flustered as I? Come, Mr. Sun, shine a little bit hotter, Don't hide your face, please, and stop drinking water, Mr. Wind, get out your big broom for sweeping, Shame, Madam Rain ! this is no time for weeping, Come now, look pleasant, the swift hours fly, Shake out your cloudlets and hang them to dry ! Young Johnnie Frost, you run home and remember You're not wanted here till sometime next November, Ha, now we have it ! a little more green, Brighten that yellow, slip pink in between, Don't talk to me about colours that blend, Slap them all on, 'tis the same in the end. Send up the Mayflowers, sweet smelling piles of them, Catkins and marsh -mallows, I can use miles of them, Shake all those lazy trees, tickle their toes Don't plant hypaticas stiffly in rows, [81] THE SHINING SHIP MISTRESS SPRING-IN-A-HURRY (Continued) Jumble them up a bit, crimson and blue, Wind-flowers, violets, trilliums too! That's the idea! and now for the gardens Poke up the hyacinths ere the soil hardens, Mass purple lilacs down there by the walk, Line up the daffodils here and don't talk Rainbow-hued crocuses, narcissus white, Soak all in perfume and leave over night. Here come the birds ! What a stirring and questing, Fat robins chirping and bob-o-links nesting, Gay sparrows chattering, meadow-larks racing Swift as the shade of the clouds they are chasing Green on the hillside and gold in the sky ! Was ever a Springtime so sprightly as I ? [82] UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY Los Angeles This book is DUE on the last date stamped below. Form L9-42m-8,'49(B5573)444 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA PLEASP DO NOT REMOVE THIS BOOK CARDS I: University Research Library a s u a s s S s s