* 40 * THE SHOWER. HEAR the rain, patter, patter, * 41 * THE WAVES ON THE SEA-SHORE. ROLL on, roll on, you restless waves When you have reached the shore? Roll on, roll on, you noisy waves; How is it that you cannot pass That line of yellow sand? 1 swirl, whirl. 2 strand, beach, shore. Make haste, or else the tide will turn; Roll quite across the bank, and then "We must not dare," the waves reply: Is laid along the shore to bound The waters and the land: "And all should keep to time and place, And little boys at school." * 42 * AUNT EFFIE'S RHYMES. AN OLD GAELIC CRADLE-SONG. HUSH! the waves are rolling in, White with foam, white with foam: Father toils amid the din; But baby sleeps at home. Hush! the winds roar hoarse and deep, On they come, on they come! Brother seeks the lazy sheep, But baby sleeps at home. Hush! the rain sweeps o'er the knowes,2 Sister goes to seek the cows; But baby sleeps at home. 1 lea, grass-land. 2 knowes (pronounced to rhyme with 'cows'), knells, low hills. * 43 * WHAT DOES LITTLE BIRDIE SAY? WHAT does little birdie say Till thy little wings are stronger. What does little baby say ALFRED TENNYSON. * 44 * THE HOLIDAY. COME out, come out, for merry play: Over the hills and far away. Hurrah! we'll have a holiday; And through the wood, and up the glade,1 The wild rose blooms upon the spray; 2 And merry birds are singing loud, Over the hills and far away. Not one of us behind must stay; * 45 * SNOW. MRS. HAWTREY. SNOW, snow, everywhere! - Snow, snow, everywhere! Making common things look fair, — Snow, snow, everywhere! Dressing up the trees so bare, 1 glade, an open place in a wood. 2 spray, a sprig, or small branch. Resting on each fir-tree bough, Snow, snow, everywhere! Covering up young roots with care, Snow, snow, everywhere! * 46 * THE HOLIDAYS. FAREWELL to study and to books; We hail again this joyous day, We'll roam among the bright green fields, And where the sturdy husbandman 1 The harvest home is bringing. 1 husbandman, farmer. |