BABY'S BEDTIME.

Otago Witness, Issue 2929, 4 May 1910, Page 81

BABY'S BEDTIME.

See the nigbt-laimp is burning', my mother, and all,. Ere the blacl. shades come creeping ttk* dreams on. the wall.; And the clothes, ere you go, draw right up tci my head, For I fear the night fairies that dance round amy bed! And the ghosts and the goblins, I hide from their eyes— Could they carry youi Mary asleep to-their skies?— And the demons and ghouls, in the tale j?<ro did tell, That feast on young children who fall 'neati* their spell. How happy, my mother, a king or a queer*. To be greater than goblins and rule in between, And to sail and to ride, and in carriage JO by— I would e'en visit God, in His home in the ■sky! Oh. I hate the dark room, when the lamp is away! My mother, I long for the long sunny day* And I wish that no ending e'er came to ihe light; Why should there be darkness at all in t&« night? . . . My prayer I said—yes, dear mother, I did, Just now, 'neath the clothes, when one moment I hid; Tho' my eyelids were low and rny head seem'd to nod, I heard a. sweet sound —I am sure it waa God. ; - And I prayed for you, mother, and father, and me— I prayed that His glory might shine on va three; And baby, who yet has not even a name. Why, I asked God toi pass that and bless him l the same. And to-morrow I prayed to be Dright witb the sun— To the woods I would go,—l would laugh^ I would run; I would pluck the clematis and make me f crown, » And seek the young sylphids beneath tM' moss-down. .... « Yes, deac mother, good-night. . ' . , W6j["; I thought you were gorje. And, waking, I thought fcj«- f - your lamp Wl the dawn; And your face was so near—oh, you gave n* a frigi't! Yes, kiss me again, then, my mother, good night. —PHO3NIX.