LOOKING-GLASS RIVER MOOTH it slides upon its travel, O the smooth stream! Sailing blossoms, silver fishes, To live down there! We can see our coloured faces Till a wind or water wrinkle, Dipping marten, plumping trout, Spreads in a twinkle And blots all out. See the rings pursue each other; Had blown out the light! Patience, children, just a minute See the spreading circles die; The stream and all in it Will clear by-and-by. FAIRY BREAD OME up here, O dusty feet! Here is fairy bread to eat. Here in my retiring room, Children, you may dine On the golden smell of broom And the shade of pine; And when you have eaten well, Fairy stories hear and tell. FROM A RAILWAY CARRIAGE ASTER than fairies, faster than witches, And charging along like troops in a battle, All through the meadows the horses and cattle: All of the sights of the hill and the plain And ever again, in the wink of an eye, Here is a child who clambers and scrambles, All by himself and gathering brambles; Here is a tramp who stands and gazes; Here is a cart run away in the road WINTER-TIME ATE lies the wintry sun a-bed, Before the stars have left the skies, Close by the jolly fire I sit The colder countries round the door. When to go out, my nurse doth wrap The cold wind burns my face, and blows Black are my steps on silver sod; Thick blows my frosty breath abroad; And tree and house, and hill and lake, Are frosted like a wedding-cake. |