Skim the skaters to and fro; And the noonday splendors flashing In the rainbow colors show.-- It is winter, little children, let the summer, singing, go! When the gorgeous day is dying, There is swept a cloud of rose O'er the hill-tops softly lying In the flush of sweet repose; And the nests, all white with snowing, In the twilight breezes blow; And the untired moon is showing Her bare heart to the snow.-- It is winter, little children, let the summer, singing, go! [Illustration: 0016] "TWELVE O'CLOCK, AND ALL'S WELL!" ( A Christmas Rhyme of Might-Have-Been.) By M. S. E. P. |I KNOW of an Owl, A story-book Owl, And he dwells in a Cloudland tree, So way-high-up you never see A glimpse of the great white fowl. And this ancient fowl, This story-book Owl, Sometimes to himself he speaks-- Once in a thousand years or so-- In a voice that crackles and creaks And never is heard by the children below: "Tu-whit! tu-whoo! I sleep by day, Of course I do-- It's the sensible way." For when little children lie fast asleep, And darkness enshrouds the world so deep, And weary eyes close to gaze only in dreams, This story-book bird With the big round eyes, Whom nothing escapes, So knowing and wise, Watches and peers, with never a wink, Into crannies and nooks where one might think No danger would come, so peaceful it seems. And prying about, this story-book bird In the snowy thick Of a Christmas eve-- If you will believe-- Just in the nick Found the strangest thing that ever you heard: Santa Klaus asleep, All down in a heap, On the floor of his sleigh Ready packed for the way! And think of the stockings swaying At 'leven o' the night, With the silent firelight All over them fitfully playing-- A dangling host From the chimney nails As warm as toast-- But empty, pitiful, They promise a million wails From just one city-full! "Tu-whit! to-whoo! Here's a to-do!" Said the sleepless bird, The wise old owl, The watchful fowl. He flew and he whirred, Soft Cloudland exploring, Led up like an arrow By the wildest of snoring, Till he stopped, Then dropped On the edge of a cloud-- Oh, the snoring was loud!-- Then stalked to that sleigh. Ah, what a fine dose!-- He flashed out one claw, and