A NOONDAY LULLABY.

"Tic, tac! Tic, tac!"
Says the clock on the wall:
"Sleep now, my darling, for 'tis time, 'tis time;
Soon I will wake you with my merry chime,—
Tic, tac! Tic, tac!"
"Purr-r-r! Purr-r-r!"
Tabby sings on the sill:
"Shut your eyes, deary, and sleep in a trice,
Then I will stay here, and scare off the mice,—
Purr-r-r! Purr-r-r!"
"Coo-oo! Coo-oo!"
Says the dove on the roof:
"Go to sleep, pet, while I strut here and coo,
As for my own pretty nestlings I do,—
Coo-oo! Coo-oo!"

"Cut, cut, ca-dah-cut!"
Cackles kind biddy-hen:
"Listen, my little one: if you'll not weep,
I'll lay an egg for you while you are asleep,—
Cut, cut, ca-dah-cut!"
"Moo-oo! Moo-oo!"
Says the good moolly-cow:
"Sleep, my wee man, and I'll make it fair,
For I'll give you milk from bossy's own share,—
Moo-oo! Moo-oo!"
"Hum, hum! Buz, buz!"
Drones the bee on the wing:
"Fret not, my baby, but croon in your bed,
I'll bring you honey to eat on your bread,—
Hum, hum! Buz, buz!"

"Hush-sh-sh! Hush-sh-sh!"
Whisper leaves on the tree:
"As through our shadow soft sunlight streams,
See how the angels send smiles in his dreams!
Hush-sh-sh! Hush-sh-sh!"

M. A. C.