Behind the hill I met a man in green
Who asked me if my mother had gone out?
I said she had. He asked me had I seen
His castle where the people sing and shout
From dawn to dark, and told me that he had
A crock of gold inside a hollow tree,
And I could have it.—I wanted money bad
To buy a sword with, and I thought that he
Would keep his solemn word; so, off we went.
He said he had a pound hid in the crock,
And owned the castle too, and paid no rent
To any one, and that you had to knock
Five hundred times. I asked, "Who reckoned up?"
And he said, "You insulting little pup!"
THE SECRET
I was frightened, for a wind
Crept along the grass to say
Something that was in my mind
Yesterday—
Something that I did not know
Could be found out by the wind,
I had buried it so low
In my mind.
APRIL SHOWERS
The leaves are fresh after the rain,
The air is cool and clear,
The sun is shining warm again,
The sparrows hopping in the lane
Are brisk and full of cheer.
And that is why we dance and play,
And that is why we sing,
Calling out in voices gay,
We will not go to school to-day
Or learn anything:
It is a happy thing, I say,
To be alive on such a day.