But  what  can  have  brought  them?  but  how   can  they

know?
What  instinct  has  taught  them  to  cherish  him  so  ?

Since  first  he  could  walk  they  have  served  him  like  this.
His  lips  could  not  talk,  but  they  found  they  could  kiss.
They  made  him  a  court,  and  they  crowned  him  a  king ;
Ah,  who  could  have  thought  of  so  lovely  a  thing?
They  found  him  so  pretty,  they  gave  him  their  hearts.
And  some  divine  pity  has  taught  them  their  parts  !

"A."


388         LOUISE   CHANDLER  MOULTON.
IF  I  COULD  KEEP  HER  SO.
Just  a  little  baby,  lying  in  my  arms-^
Would  that  I  could  keep  you,  with  your  baby  charms ;
Helpless,  clinging  fingers,  downy,  golden  hair,
Where  the  sunshine  lingers,  caught  from  otherwhere  ;
Blue  eyes  asking  questions,  lips  that  cannot  speak,
Roly-poly  shoulders,  dimple  in  your  cheek  •
Dainty  little  blossom  in  a  world  of  woe.
Thus  I  fain  would  keep  you,  for  I  love  you  so.
Roguish  little  damsel,  scarcely  six  years  old —
Feet  that  never  weary,  hair  of  deeper  gold  ;
Restless,  busy  fingers  all  the  time  at  play ;
Tongue  that  never  ceases  talking  all  the  day ;
Blue  eyes  learning  wonders  of  the  world  about.
Here  you  come  to  tell  them— what  an  eager  shout : —
Winsome  little  damsel,  all  the  neighbours  know ;
Thus  1  long  to  keep  you,  for  I  love  you  so.
Sober  little  schoolgirl,  with  your  strap  of  books.
And  such  grave  importance  in  your  puzzled  looks  ;
Solving  weary  problems,  poring  over  sums.
Yet  with  tooth  for  sponge-cake  and  for  sugar  plums ;
Reading  books  of  romance  in  your  bed  at  night.
Waking  up  to  study  with  the  morning  light ;
Anxious  as  to  ribbons,  deft  to  tie  a  bow.
