THE MOON AND I. (A Midnight Dialogue.)

The Moon said to me: “Baby Bee, Baby Bee, Why aren’t you asleep in your bed? When I am a-light You know it is night; So down with your bad little head!” I said to the Moon, With a coo and a croon: “O, beautiful Moon up so high! Don’t tarry afar— Let’s see what you are! Come down from your perch in the sky!” The Moon said to me: “Baby Bee, Baby Bee, When I was an infant like you, I put out my light At eight every night To let people know I was new.” I said to the Moon, With a coo and a croon: “Dear Moon, I’ve no doubt you are right; I freely admit The wisdom and wit Of one so exceedingly bright.” The Moon said to me: “Baby Bee, Baby Bee, Then why don’t you shut up your eyes And sleep as you ought, And as you’ve been taught? What folly to act otherwise!” I said to the Moon, With a coo and a croon: “Pray how can I sleep when in truth, O, Moon, though I try, I can’t shut an eye! O, Moon, I am cutting a tooth!” The Moon said to me: “Baby Bee, Baby Bee, I judged you a little too soon. You poor little dear! I wish you were here Where we never cut teeth,” said the Moon.