第1章

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!