II. NEST EGGS 98 III. THE FLOWERS 100 IV. SUMMER SUN 101 V. THE DUMB SOLDIER 103 VI. AUTUMN FIRES 106 VII. THE GARDENER 107 VIII. HISTORICAL ASSOCIATIONS 109 ENVOYS PAGE. I. TO WILLIE AND HENRIETTA 115 II. TO MY MOTHER 116 III. TO AUNTIE 117 IV. TO MINNIE 118 V. TO MY NAME-CHILD 122 VI. TO ANY READER 125 A CHILD'S GARDEN OF VERSES A CHILD'S GARDEN OF VERSES I BED IN SUMMER In winter I get up at night And dress by yellow candle-light. In summer, quite the other way, I have to go to bed by day. I have to go to bed and see The birds still hopping on the tree, Or hear the grown-up people's feet Still going past me in the street. And does it not seem hard to you, When all the sky is clear and blue, And I should like so much to play, To have to go to bed by day? [Illustration] II A THOUGHT It is very nice to think The world is full of meat and drink, With little children saying grace In every Christian kind of place. [Illustration] III AT THE SEASIDE When I was down beside the sea A wooden spade they gave to me To dig the sandy shore. My holes were empty like a cup, In every hole the sea came up, Till it could come no more. IV YOUNG NIGHT THOUGHT All night long and every night, When my mamma puts out the light, I see the people marching by, As plain as day, before my eye. Armies and emperors and kings, All carrying different kinds of things, And marching in so grand a way, You never saw the like by day. So fine a show was never seen, At the great circus on the green; For every kind of beast and man Is marching in that caravan. At first they move a little slow, But still the faster on they go, And still beside them close I keep Until we reach the town of Sleep. [Illustration: "And still beside them close I keep Until we reach the town of Sleep."] [Illustration] V WHOLE DUTY OF CHILDREN A child should always say what's true And speak when he is spoken to, And behave mannerly at table; At least as far as he is able. [Illustration] VI RAIN