5

ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON

SCOTLAND, 1850-1894

The Wind

I saw you toss the kites on high
And blow the birds about the sky;
And all around I heard you pass,
Like ladies' skirts across the grass

O wind, a-blowing all day long;
O wind, that sings so loud a song!

I saw the different things you did,
But always you yourself you hid.
I felt you push, I heard you call,
10 I could not see yourself at all

O wind, a-blowing all day long;
O wind, that sings so loud a song!

O you that are so strong and cold;
O blower, are you young or old?
15 Are you a beast of field and tree,
Or just a stronger child than me?
O wind, a-blowing all day long;
O wind, that sings so loud a song!

RAIN-LITTLE THINGS

17

ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON

Rain

The rain is raining all around;
It falls on field and tree,
It rains on the umbrellas here,
And on the ships at sea.

5

10

CHRISTINA G. ROSSETTI

Boats sail on the Rivers

Boats sail on the rivers,

And ships sail on the seas;
But clouds that sail across the sky
Are prettier far than these.

There are bridges on the rivers,
As pretty as you please;

But the bow that bridges heaven,
And overtops the trees,

And builds a road from earth to sky,
Is prettier far than these.

FRANK DEMPSTER SHERMAN

AMERICA, 1860

A Dewdrop

Little drop of dew,

Like a gem you are;
I believe that you

Must have been a star.

5

10

15

MOTHER GOOSE RHYMES

Hush-a-bye, Baby

Hush-a-bye, baby,
On the tree-top,

When the wind blows
The cradle will rock;
When the bough bends
The cradle will fall;
Down will come baby,
Bough, cradle, and all.

Hush-a-bye, baby,
Thy cradle is green,
Father's a nobleman,
Mother's a queen;
Sister's a lady,

And wears a gold ring,
Brother's a drummer,
And drums for the king.