Yes, my darling, well I know How the bitter wind doth blow; And the winter's snow and rain Patter on the window pane. But they cannot come in here, To my little baby dear; For the window shutteth fast, Till the stormy night is past; Or the curtains we may spread Round about her cradle-bed. So, till morning shineth bright, Little baby dear, good night! --_Jane Taylor_. {372} BABY AND MAMMA What a little thing am I! Hardly higher than the table. I can eat, and play, and cry, But to work I am not able. Nothing in the world I know, But mamma will try and show me. Sweet mamma, I love her so, She's so very kind unto me. And she sets me on her knee, Very often, for some kisses. Oh! how good I'll try to be, For such a dear mamma as this is. --_Jane Taylor_. {373}{374} [Illustration] CHILD WITH DOG Sir Joshua Reynolds (1723-1792) [End illustration] {375} THE TEMPEST See the dark vapors cloud the sky, The thunder rumbles round and round; The lightning's flash begins to fly, Big drops of rain bedew the ground: The frightened birds with ruffled wing, Fly through the air and cease to sing. 'T is God who on the tempest rides And with a word directs the storm, 'T is at His nod the wind subsides, Or heaps of heavy vapors form. In fire and cloud He walks the sky, And lets His stores of tempest fly. --_Jane Taylor_. {376} THE VIOLET Down in a green and shady bed A modest violet grew; Its stalk was bent, it hung its head, As if to hide from view. And yet it was a lovely flower, Its colors bright and fair. It might have graced a rosy bower, Instead of hiding there. Yet there it was content to bloom, In modest tints arrayed; And there diffused its sweet perfume, Within the silent shade. Then let me to the valley go, This pretty flower to see, That I may also learn to grow In sweet humility. --_Jane Taylor_. {377}{378} [Illustration] SHEEP By Rosa Bonheur (1822-1899) One of the most famous artists of the world, born at Bordeaux, France, March 22, 1822, died 1899. Her best known pictures are the "Horse Fair" and "Tillage in Nivernais." During the siege of Paris her studio was saved by the special order of the crown prince of Prussia. She received the cross of the Legion of Honor in 1865 [End illustration] {379} MAY DAY SONG April's gone, the king of showers; May is come, the queen of flowers; Give me something, gentles dear, For a blessing on the year. For my garland give, I pray, Words and smiles of cheerful May: Birds of spring, to you we come, Let us pick a little crumb. --_John Keble_. {380} THE LAMB