A NOONDAY LULLABY.
Reading edition
"Tic, tac! Tic, tac!" Says the clock on the wall: "Sleep now, my darling, for 'tis time, 'tis time; Soon I will wake you with my merry chime,— Tic, tac! Tic, tac!" "Purr-r-r! Purr-r-r!" Tabby sings on the sill: "Shut your eyes, deary, and sleep in a trice, Then I will stay here, and scare off the mice,— Purr-r-r! Purr-r-r!" "Coo-oo! Coo-oo!" Says the dove on the roof: "Go to sleep, pet, while I strut here and coo, As for my own pretty nestlings I do,— Coo-oo! Coo-oo!"
"Cut, cut, ca-dah-cut!" Cackles kind biddy-hen: "Listen, my little one: if you'll not weep, I'll lay an egg for you while you are asleep,— Cut, cut, ca-dah-cut!" "Moo-oo! Moo-oo!" Says the good moolly-cow: "Sleep, my wee man, and I'll make it fair, For I'll give you milk from bossy's own share,— Moo-oo! Moo-oo!" "Hum, hum! Buz, buz!" Drones the bee on the wing: "Fret not, my baby, but croon in your bed, I'll bring you honey to eat on your bread,— Hum, hum! Buz, buz!"
"Hush-sh-sh! Hush-sh-sh!" Whisper leaves on the tree: "As through our shadow soft sunlight streams, See how the angels send smiles in his dreams! Hush-sh-sh! Hush-sh-sh!"
M. A. C.
