The Posy Ring | Page 9

Herrick_ 246
What Would You See? By _George Macdonald_ 247
Corn-Fields. By _Mary Howitt_ 248
Little Christel. By _William Brighty Rands_ 250
A Child's Prayer. By _M. Betham Edwards_ 252
BELLS OF CHRISTMAS
The Adoration of the Wise Men. By _Cecil F. Alexander_ 257
Cradle Hymn. By _Isaac Watts_ 258
The Christmas Silence. By _Margaret Deland_ 260
An Offertory. By _Mary Mapes Dodge_ 261
Christmas Song. By _Lydia Avery Coonley Ward_ 261
A Visit from St. Nicholas. By _Clement C. Moore_ 262
The Christmas Trees. By _Mary F. Butts_ 265
A Birthday Gift. By _Christina G. Rossetti_ 267
A Christmas Lullaby. By _John Addington Symonds_ 267
I Saw Three Ships. _Old Carol_ 268
Santa Claus. _Unknown_ 269
Neighbors of the Christ Night. By _Nora Archibald Smith_ 271
Cradle Hymn. By _Martin Luther_ 272
The Christmas Holly. By _Eliza Cook_ 273
LILLIPUT NOTICE. By _William Brighty Rands_ 274
THE POSY RING
I
A YEAR'S WINDFALLS
_Who comes dancing over the snow,?His soft little feet all bare and rosy??Open the door, though the wild winds blow,?Take the child in and make him cosy.?Take him in and hold him dear,?He is the wonderful glad New Year._
_Dinah M. Mulock._
A YEAR'S WINDFALLS
_Marjorie's Almanac_
Robins in the tree-top,?Blossoms in the grass,?Green things a-growing?Everywhere you pass;?Sudden little breezes,?Showers of silver dew,?Black bough and bent twig?Budding out anew;?Pine-tree and willow-tree,?Fringèd elm and larch,--?Don't you think that May-time's?Pleasanter than March?
Apples in the orchard?Mellowing one by one;?Strawberries upturning?Soft cheeks to the sun;?Roses faint with sweetness,?Lilies fair of face,?Drowsy scents and murmurs?Haunting every place;?Lengths of golden sunshine,?Moonlight bright as day,--?Don't you think that summer's?Pleasanter than May?
Roger in the corn-patch?Whistling negro songs;?Pussy by the hearth-side?Romping with the tongs;?Chestnuts in the ashes?Bursting through the rind;?Red leaf and gold leaf?Rustling down the wind;?Mother "doin' peaches"?All the afternoon,--?Don't you think that autumn's?Pleasanter than June?
Little fairy snow-flakes?Dancing in the flue;?Old Mr. Santa Claus,?What is keeping you??Twilight and firelight?Shadows come and go;?Merry chime of sleigh-bells?Tinkling through the snow;?Mother knitting stockings?(Pussy's got the ball),--?Don't you think that winter's?Pleasanter than all?
Thomas Bailey Aldrich.
_In February_
The birds have been singing to-day,?And saying: "The spring is near!?The sun is as warm as in May,?And the deep blue heavens are clear."
The little bird on the boughs?Of the sombre snow-laden pine?Thinks: "Where shall I build me