TO A BABY
Baby, with those solemn eyes
And that yellow hair
You are very, very wise,
Baby dear, I'll swear!
Give me, sweet, your chubby hand,
Whisper in my ear,
Since you seem to understand
Much that is not clear.
If you'll sit upon my knee,
Baby, for awhile,
All that's sad shall go from me,
Vanquish'd by a smile.
Very humbly will I learn
That which you can teach,
Life's great problems, each in turn
Solved in lisping speech.
You're so near to God, I feel
Poor and incomplete,
Just as though I ought to kneel,
Dear, and kiss your feet.
O LADY MINE
Song
"O Lady mine!" one day I cried,
"Pray make for me a posy,
That I may think when from your side
On your young mouth so rosy."
"Nay, gentle sir," the damsel said,
"The blossoms I deny you,
But take my willing lips instead,
If they will satisfy you!"
And then she kissed me where I stood,
And may the saints defend her—
Ne'er grew a flower in field or wood
One half so sweet and tender.
BUTTERFLY
Song
Butterfly, butterfly, where are you going?
"Over the roses into the sky."
Butterfly, butterfly, there is no knowing
When you'll come back again, so good-bye!
Butterfly, butterfly, summer is glowing,
But with the winter you too must die,
And your frail soul will be gently blowing
Upward to God on a rose's sigh.
Butterfly, butterfly, butterfly!