XXXIV

XXXIV

Time to Rise

A birdie with a yellow bill

Hopped upon my window sill,

Cocked his shining eye and said:

"Ain't you 'shamed, you sleepy-head!"

XXXV

Looking-glass River

Smooth it glides upon its travel,

Here a wimple, there a gleam--

O the clean gravel!

O the smooth stream!

Sailing blossoms, silver fishes,

Pave pools as clear as air--

How a child wishes

To live down there!

We can see our colored faces

Floating on the shaken pool

Down in cool places,

Dim and very cool;

Till a wind or water wrinkle,

Dipping marten, plumping trout,

Spreads in a twinkle

And blots all out.

See the rings pursue each other;

All below grows black as night,

Just as if mother

Had blown out the light!

Patience, children, just a minute--

See the spreading circles die;

The stream and all in it

Will clear by-and-by.