stay,
When 't is bright and pleasant day.
--_Jane Taylor_.

{359}

THE SNOWDROP

Now the spring is coming on,
Now the snow and ice are gone,
Come, my little snowdrop root,
Will you not begin to shoot?

Ah! I see your pretty head
Peeping on the flower bed,
Looking all so green and gay
On this fine and pleasant day.

For the mild south wind doth blow,
And hath melted all the snow,
And the sun shines out so warm,
You need not fear another storm.

So come up, you pretty thing,
Just to tell us it is spring,
Hanging down your modest head
On my pleasant flower bed.
--_Jane Taylor_.

{360}

[Illustration]
Music for "Getting Up"
[End illustration]

{361}

GETTING UP

Now, my baby, ope your eye,
For the sun is in the sky,
And he's peeping once again
Through the frosty windowpane.
Little baby, do not keep
Any longer fast asleep.

There now, sit in mother's lap,
That she may untie your cap;
For the little strings have got
Twisted into such a knot.
Yes, you know you've been at play
With the bobbin as your lay.

There it comes, now let us see
Where your petticoats can be;
Oh, they're in the window seat,
Folded very smooth and neat;
When my baby older grows
She shall double up her clothes.

Now one pretty little kiss,
For dressing you so nice as this.
But before we go downstairs,
Don't forget to say your prayers,
For 't is God who loves to keep
Little babies fast asleep.
--_Jane Taylor_.

{362}

A FINE THING

Who am I with noble face,
Shining in a clear blue place?
If to look at me you try,
I shall blind your little eye.

When my noble face I show,
Over yonder mountain blue,
All the clouds away do ride,
And the dusky night beside.

Then the clear wet dews I dry
With the look of my bright eye;
And the little birds awake,
Many a merry tune to make.

Cowslips, then, and harebells blue,
And lily-cups their leaves undo;
For they shut themselves up tight,
All the dark and foggy night.

Then the busy people go,
Some to plow, and some to sow;
When I leave, their work is done,
Guess if I am not the Sun.
--_Jane Taylor_.

{363}{364}

[Illustration]
MADONNA AND CHILD
By Georg Papperitz
[End illustration]