When I was vexed with John last night, And sat here full of pride, It sang away with all its might, And shamed me till I cried.
’Tis humming now, _Come, broil the ham Or supper will be late, Put on the biscuits and the jam, You’re goodman’s at the gate._
I have a creed, I’ll tell it you, Since you have asked me to define On what I build my hopes of heaven. My creed--yes, I can call it mine, Since it belongs to every soul That reaches upward toward the light, And trusts in Christ for guidance sure, And strength and will to do the right.
You’ll find it written down, my friend, In that old Book upon the shelf, ’Tis: _Love the Lord with all thine heart And love thy neighbor as thyself_. Not _quite_ enough? ’Twas counted so By One Who walked by Galilee, His creed of love to God and man Is quite enough for you and me.
The air is sweet as sweet can be, The azure sky spreads smoothly over, And rest and joy keep company, In this wide field of sun-kissed clover.
Among the heavy heads of pink, The avaricious bees are straying, A glad full-throated bobolink, His highest note is now essaying.
The earth is holding on her breast, The sweetest flowers of all her growing, The white clouds float, from out the west A soft delicious wind is blowing.
Oh, life is good on such a day, The blue sky bending smoothly over, For neither care nor cross will stay, In this wide field of sun-kissed clover.
Going off to sleep on mamma’s breast, Hush-a-bye, baby boy! He’s the baby mamma loves best-- Hush-a-bye, baby boy! Rosy cheeks have been kissed by the sun, Hush-a-bye, baby boy! He’s so tired chasing after fun, Hush-a-bye, baby boy!
Pretty white “nighty”--isn’t he sweet? Hush-a-bye, baby boy! Reaching right from his chin to his feet, Hush-a-bye, baby boy! Never mind staring up at the sky, Hush-a-bye, baby boy! The stars will wink at you by and by, Hush-a-bye, baby boy!
Fast asleep on his mamma’s breast, Hush-a-bye, baby boy! Put him down in his little white nest, Hush-a-bye, baby boy!
How sweet the pink flush there in the west, With the golden bars--let us sit a space-- I want to talk to you as we rest-- Sit where my eyes can dwell on your face.
I have been thinking of you to-day, You smile as you listen. Is there an hour I’m not in her thoughts, I hear you say-- Look at that butterfly hid in a flower.