How did they all just come to be you?
God thought about me, and so I grew.

But how did you come to us, you dear?
God thought of you, and so I am here.

George Macdonald.

OLD GAELIC LULLABY.

HUSH! the waves are rolling in,

White with foam, white with foam;

Father toils amid the din;

But baby sleeps at home.

Hush the winds roar hoarse and deep,
On they come, on they come !
Brother seeks the wandering sheep :
But baby sleeps at home.

Hush the rain sweeps o'er the knowes, Where they roam, where they roam ; to seek the cows;

Sister goes

But baby sleeps at home.

A SLEEPING CHILD.

LIPS, lips, open!

Up comes a little bird that lives inside,

Up comes a little bird, and peeps, and out he flies.

All the day he sits inside, and sometimes he sings;
Up he comes and out he goes at night to spread his wings.

Little bird, little bird, whither will you go ?
Round about the world while nobody can know.

Little bird, little bird, whither do you flee?
Far away round the world while nobody can see.

Little bird, little bird, how long will you roam?
All round the world and around again home.

Round the round world, and back through the air,
When the morning comes, the little bird is there.

Back comes the little bird, and looks, and in he flies.
Up wakes the little boy, and opens both his eyes.

Sleep, sleep, little boy, little bird's away,
Little bird will come again, by the peep of day;

Sleep, sleep, little boy, little bird must go
Round about the world, while nobody can know.

Sleep, sleep sound, little bird goes round,

Round and round he goes, sleep, sleep sound!

-Arthur Hugh Clough.

POLLY.

BROWN eyes, straight nose;
Dirt pies, rumpled clothes.

Torn books, spoilt toys;
Arch looks, unlike a boy's;

Little rages, obvious arts.;
(Three her age is), cakes, tarts;

Falling down off chairs;

Breaking crown down stairs;

Catching flies on the panc;
Deep sighs cause not plain ;

Bribing you with kisses
For a few farthing blisses.

Wide-awake; as you hear,
"Mercy's sake, quiet, dear!"

New shoes, new frock ;
Vague views of what's o'clock

When it's time to go to bed,

And scorn sublime for what's said.