A Book for Kids | Page 8

is not an early riser, but it has a snubbish nose.?If you snear at it, or scold it, it will scuttle off in shame, But it purrs and purrs quite proudly if you call it by its name, And offer it some sandwiches of sealing-wax and soap.?So try:
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But of course you haven't seen it; and I truthfully confess That I haven't seen it either, and I don't know its address. For there isn't such an insect, though there really might have been If the trees and grass were purple, and the sky was bottle green. It's just a little joke of mine, which you'll forgive, I hope. Oh, try!
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THE CIRCUS
Hey, there! Hoop-la! the circus is in town!?Have you seen the elephant? Have you seen the clown??Have you seen the dappled horse gallop round the ring??Have you seen the acrobats on the dizzy swing??Have you seen the tumbling men tumble up and down??Hoop-la! Hoop-la! the circus is in town!
Hey, there! Hoop-la! Here's the circus troupe!?Here's the educated, dog jumping through the hoop.?See the lady Blondin with the parasol and fan,?The lad upon the ladder and the india-rubber man.?See the joyful juggler and the boy who loops the loop.?Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey! Here's the circus troupe!
YOU AND I
They say the eagle is a bird?That sees some splendid sights?When he soars high into the sky?Upon his dizzy flights:?He sees the ground for miles around?Our house, and Billy Johnson's;?But we cannot be eagles, for?That would, of course, be nonsense.
But you ad I, some summer day,?Providing we're allowed,?Will go up in an aeroplane?And sail right through a cloud.?But, if they say we may not go,?We'll stay upon the ground?With other things that have no wings,?And watch them walk around.
They say the bottom of the sea?Is beautiful to view;?They say the fish, whene'er they wish,?Can sail and see it, too;?The shining pearls, the coral curls,?The sharks, the squids, the schnappers,?And fish with fins (though not in tins)?And fish with funny flappers.
But you and I, some sunny day,?When weather's in condition,?Will go there in a submarine,?Providing we've permission.
But if they say we may not go?We must respect their wishes;?And you and I will just keep dry?Because we are not fishes.
The earh is quite a jolly place,?And we don't care for flying;?And thngs that creep down in the deep?Are sometimes rather trying.?So, if they'll grant a holiday?Or even only half,?We'll lie upon some grassy place,?And think of things, and laugh.
GOING TO SCHOOL
Did you see them pass to-day, Billy, Kate and Robin,?All astride upon the back of old grey Dobbin??Jigging, jogging off to school, down the dusty track--?What must Dobbin think of it-- three upon his back??Robin at the bridle-rein, in the middle Kate,?Billy holding on behind, his legs out straight.
Now they're coming back from school, jig, jog, jig.?See them at the corner where the gums grow big;?Dobbin flicking off the flies and blinking at the sun--?Having three upon his back he thinks is splendid fun:?Robin at the bridle-rein, in the middle Kate,?Little Billy up behind, his legs out straight.
HIST!
Hist! . . . . . . Hark!?The night is very dark,?And we've to go a mile or so?Across the Possum Park.
Step . . . . . . light,?Keeping to the right;?If we delay, and lose our way,?We'll be out half the night.?The clouds are low and gloomy. Oh!?It's just begun to mist!?We haven't any overcoats?And-- Hist! . . . . . . Hist!
(Mo . . . . . . poke!)?Who was that that spoke??This is not a fitting spot?To make a silly joke.
Dear . . . . . . me!?A mopoke in a tree!?It jarred me so, I didn't know?Whatever it could be.?But come along; creep along;?Soon we shall be missed.?They'll get a scare and wonder where?We-- Hush! . . . . . . Hist!
Ssh! . . . . . . Soft!?I've told you oft and oft?We should not stray so far away?Without a moon aloft.
Oo! . . . . . . Scat!?Goodness! What was that??Upon my word, it's quite absurd,?It's only just a cat.?But come along; haste along;?Soon we'll have to rush,?Or we'll be late and find the gate?Is-- Hist! . . . . . . Hush!
(Kok!. . . . . . Korrock!)?Oh! I've had a shock!?I hope and trust it's only just?A frog behind a rock.
Shoo! . . . . . . Shoo!?We've had enough of you;?Scaring folk just for a joke?Is not the thing to do.?But come along, slip along--?Isn't it a lark?Just to roam so far from home?On-- Hist! . . . . . . Hark!
Look! . . . . . . See!?Shining through the tree,?The window-light is glowing bright?To welcome you and me.
Shout! . . . . . . Shout!?There's someone round about,?And through the door I see some more?And supper all laid out.?Now, run! Run! Run!?Oh, we've had such splendid fun--?Through the park