"'When the shades of night come down Over the Village of Drowsy Town, Children gay drop their play, And shake a day-day to their mammas: Off through the meadow with little Bo-Peep, Helping her gather her wayward sheep, And praying the Lord their souls to keep, While visiting Drowsy Town.' Illustration: _"He gave the old harp a nimble sweep with his dexterous fingers that filled the air with enchanting music."_ "When the singer had finished the chorus, he was suddenly overtaken by a fit of sleepiness; and, as his body slipped to one side, he reeled from the tree and fell backward into the gutter with such force that the children instantly sprang to his assistance, for they were sure he was badly hurt. But he managed to stagger again to his feet, and excusing himself for the great impoliteness of falling asleep in company, he again leaned his back to the tree, ran his hand with a magical sweep over the strings of his harp and thus continued his song: "'The rich and the poor have an equal share, In the Village of Drowsy Town; And the poor little orphan receiveth his care As he maketh his nightly round. With a sweep of his hand he goes sprinkling sand As he wanders about through the street, With a kiss and a smile for each dear little child, As it falls fast asleep at his feet. Chorus. "'When the shades of night come down, Over the Village of Drowsy Town, Children gay, drop their play, And shake a day-day to their mammas: Off through the meadow with little Bo-Peep, Helping her gather her wayward sheep, And praying the Lord their souls to keep While visiting Drowsy Town.' "As the last sound of the singer's voice died on the air, his hands fell limply from the strings of the harp and his eyelids closed with a last, long, weary look. His head fell heavily forward upon his breast, and as his knees gave way beneath him, he slipped slowly to the ground with a loud snore and rolled over on one side, where, with harp in the gutter, Mr. Sleepy Head lay fast asleep. "'Well!' exclaimed Arthur, 'I've often heard of such a thing but I never saw anyone really fall asleep before.' "The good Queen smiled at the bright remark. "'Come,' she said. 'Don't disturb him.' "They tip-toed away from the slumberer and continued on down the street. "They had not gone very far before they saw a little old man approaching in the distance. He was stooped and bent from the weight of a bag that hung about his neck. Every now and again he would thrust his hand inside, then withdraw it and swing it around as if scattering something over the ground. "'There,' exclaimed the Queen, 'is the Sand Man scattering his sand!'