Robert Louis Stevenson. From 'A Child's Garden of Verses.' 1885.
Summer fading, winter comes—
Frosty mornings, tingling thumbs,
Window robins, winter rooks,
And the picture story-books.
Water now is turned to stone
Nurse and I can walk upon;
Still we find the flowing brooks
And the picture story-books.
All the pretty things put by,
Wait upon the children's eye
Sheep and shepherds, trees and crooks,
In the picture story-books.
We may see how all things are,
Seas and cities, near and far,
And the flying fairies' looks,
In the picture story-books.
How am I to sing your praise,
Happy chimney-corner days,
Sitting safe in nursery nooks,
Reading picture story-books?
COMPANIONS.
A French writer (whom I love well) speaks of three kinds of companions,
men, women, and books.Sir John Davys.
Richard Henry Stoddard. From the 'Atlantic Monthly,' June, 1877.