Kitabı oku: «Rhymes for Harry and His Nurse-Maid», sayfa 3

A WALK IN THE TOWN

 
How cheerful is the live-long day,
When babe and I together stray!
Among the fields and daisy-flowers,
We love to spend the happy hours;
But when Mamma shall send us down
To make her markets in the town,
Much we shall see to please the boy
And make him almost jump for joy:
Horses and carts will please him well,
And twenty things we need not tell.
But then we must not stop too long,
Mamma would say that we did wrong.
We must not saunter in the street,
Or chatter with the folks we meet,
But hasten homeward with our store,
Until we reach the well-known door:
With dirty feet we'll not be seen,
For Mary's steps are neat and clean.
If Harry for my basket begs,
I must not let him break my eggs,
Or lose my curds, or spill, or waste;
But find some toy to suit his taste:
Then Harry, nurse, and basket-store,
Will safely land at home once more.
 

TEETHING

 
Babies, when cutting teeth, oft cry,
And bite their little thumbs;
Aught they can seize, they'll often try
To carry to their gums.
 
 
Some people give them coral bright
With bells all hung together;
And some will give them glass to bite,
Or ivory, or leather.²
 
 
But things that are so hard as glass
Mamma approves of never;
They grieve and hurt poor babes, alas!
And make them worse than ever.
 
 
A nurse should then be very kind
In finding what will please,
A crust of bread, if they're inclined,
Will nourish and not tease.
 
 
Their diet should be thought of too,
With care about their dress:
Lancing, when teeth are nearly thro,'
Makes babies suffer less.
 

BABIES ARE FRETFUL WHEN SUDDENLY AROUSED FROM SLEEP

 
Come, come, my sweet deary
Has slept rather long,
But now that he's waking
I'll sing him a song.
 
 
But softly awhile —
I must not be forgetful,
That suddenly rousing
Makes Harry quite fretful.
 
 
I must not with haste
Toss my baby about,
If I make too much noise
I shall grieve him, I doubt.
 
 
Then be-boo, my darling,
My bosom shall hide thee;
I'll pat thee, and kiss thee,
No fear shall betide thee.
 
 
Ah! how sweetly he smiles,
Now I've gained all my ends;
For my baby and I
Can soon make-up good friends.
 

LEARNING TO WALK

 
My baby trips with steps complete,
And loves to stand upon his feet;
But then 'tis only when I hold
His finger, that he feels so bold;
Until his limbs are firmer grown
I must not let him stand alone;
I'll notice every new desire,
That, while I teach, I may not tire;
His little wants with care supply,
And guard against each danger nigh.
We'll sometimes walk, and sometimes rest,
Just as my darling likes the best:
For ah! his legs are young and slender,
His tripping toes are soft and tender;
Much at once he cannot bear,
Needing patience, thought, and care.
Yet frequent walking, not too long,
Will make his little limbs grow strong.
 

IN-DOORS PLAY

 
Look out, my dear, how fast it rains,
Pelting upon the window panes!
We'll shut them till the storm is o'er,
Lest it should rain upon the floor.
When all above seems clear and dry,
Again we'll throw the windows high;
The shower makes all look green and fair,
And wholesome is the freshen'd air.
Come, Harry, get his ball the while —
(Harry loves play, it makes him smile.)
We'll roll it on the floor, and then
Quickly we'll fetch it back again.
And, if I think his looks betray
Some anxious wish for change of play,
We'll try a hundred little tricks,
We'll fetch his horse, his cart, his bricks;
And, when he seems well pleas'd, we'll strive
To keep good-temper all alive:
With kindness and obliging aim
I'll join in every childish game,
Nor interrupt with thoughtless air,
Aught that has claim'd my Harry's care.