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I try to skwush the Tempter's voice 'at urges me within；
An' when they's pie for supper； or cakes 'at's big an' nice；
I want to … but I do not pass my plate f'r them things twice！
No； ruther let Starvation wipe me slowly out o' sight
Than I should keep a…livin' on an' seein' things at night！
Eugene Field ＇1850…1895＇
THE DUEL
The gingham dog and the calico cat
Side by side on the table sat；
'Twas half past twelve； and （what do you think！）
Nor one nor t'other had slept a wink！
The old Dutch clock and the Chinese plate
Appeared to know as sure as fate
There was going to be a terrible spat。
（I wasn't there： I simply state
What was told to me by the Chinese plate！）
The gingham dog went； 〃Bow…wow…wow！〃
And the calico cat replied； 〃Mee…ow！〃
The air was littered； an hour or so；
With bits of gingham and calico；
While the old Dutch clock in the chimney…place
Up with its hands before its face；
For it always dreaded a family row！
（Now mind； I'm only telling you
What the old Dutch clock declares is true！）
The Chinese plate looked very blue；
And wailed； 〃Oh； dear！ what shall we do！〃
But the gingham dog and the calico cat
Wallowed this way and tumbled that；
Employing every tooth and claw
In the awfullest way you ever saw …
And； oh！ how the gingham and calico flew！
（Don't fancy I exaggerate …
I got my news from the Chinese plate！）
Next morning； where the two had sat
They found no trace of dog or cat：
And some folks think unto this day
That burglars stole that pair away！
But the truth about the cat and pup
Is this： they ate each other up！
Now what do you really think of that！
（The old Dutch clock it told me so；
And that is how I came to know。）
Eugene Field ＇1850…1895＇
HOLY THURSDAY
'Twas on a Holy Thursday； their innocent faces clean；
Came children walking two and two； in red； and blue； and green；
Gray…headed beadles walked before； with wands as white as snow；
Till into the high dome of Paul's they like Thames waters flow。
Oh what a multitude they seemed； these flowers of London town！
Seated in companies they sit； with radiance all their own。
The hum of multitudes was there； but multitudes of lambs；
Thousands of little boys and girls raising their innocent hands。
Now like a mighty wind they raise to heaven the voice of song；
Or like harmonious thunderings the seats of heaven among：
Beneath them sit the aged men； wise guardians of the poor。
Then cherish pity； lest you drive an angel from your door。
William Blake ＇1757…1827＇
A STORY FOR A CHILD
Little one； come to my knee！
Hark； how the rain is pouring
Over the roof； in the pitch…black night；
And the wind in the woods a…roaring！
Hush； my darling； and listen；
Then pay for the story with kisses；
Father was lost in the pitch…black night；
In just such a storm as this is！
High up on the lonely mountains；
Where the wild men watched and waited；
Wolves in the forest； and bears in the bush；
And I on my path belated。
The rain and the night together
Came down and the wind came after；
Bending the props of the pine…tree roof；
And snapping many a rafter。
I crept along in the darkness；
Stunned； and bruised； and blinded； …
Crept to a fir with thick…set boughs；
And a sheltering rock behind it。
There； from the blowing and raining；
Crouching； I sought to hide me：
Something rustled； two green eyes shone；
And a wolf lay down beside me。
Little one； be not frightened；
I and the wolf together；
Side by side； through the long； long night；
Hid from the awful weather。
His wet fur pressed against me；
Each of us warmed the other；
Each of us felt； in the stormy dark；
That beast and man was brother。
And when the falling forest
No longer crashed in warning；
Each of us went from our hiding…place
Forth in the wild； wet morning。
Darling； kiss me payment！
Hark； how the wind is roaring；
Father's house is a better place
When the stormy rain is pouring！
Bayard Taylor ＇1825…1878＇
THE SPIDER AND THE FLY
〃Will you walk into my parlor？〃 said the Spider to the Fly。
〃'Tis the prettiest little parlor that ever you did spy；
The way into my parlor is up a winding stair；
And I have many curious things to show when you are there。〃
〃Oh no； no；〃 said the little Fly； 〃to ask me is in vain；
For who goes up your winding stair can ne'er come down again。〃
〃I'm sure you must be weary； dear； with soaring up so high；
Will you rest upon my little bed？〃 said the Spider to the Fly。
〃There are pretty curtains drawn around； the sheets are fine and thin；
And if you like to rest a while； I'll snugly tuck you in！〃
〃Oh no； no；〃 said the little Fly； 〃for I've often heard it said；
They never； never wake again； who sleep upon your bed！〃
Said the cunning Spider to the Fly； 〃Dear friend； what can I do
To prove the warm affection I've always felt for you？
I have； within my pantry； good store of all that's nice；
I'm sure you're very welcome … will you please to take a slice？〃
〃Oh no； no；〃 said the little Fly； 〃kind sir； that cannot be；
I've heard what's in your pantry； and I do not wish to see！〃
〃Sweet creature；〃 said the Spider； 〃you're witty and you're wise；
How handsome are your gauzy wings； how brilliant are your eyes！
I have a little looking…glass upon my parlor shelf；
If you'll step in one moment； dear； you shall behold yourself。〃
〃I thank you； gentle sir；〃 she said； 〃for what you're pleased to say；
And bidding you good morning now； I'll call another day。〃
The Spider turned him round about； and went into his den；
For well he knew the silly Fly would soon be back again；
So he wove a subtle web in a little corner sly；
And set his table ready to dine upon the Fly。
Then he came out to his door again； and merrily did sing； …
〃Come hither； hither； pretty Fly； with the pearl and silver wing；
Your robes are green and purple； there's a crest upon your head；
Your eyes are like the diamond bright； but mine are dull as lead。〃
Alas； alas！ how very soon this silly little Fly；
Hearing his wily； flattering words； came slowly flitting by：
With buzzing wings she hung aloft； then near and nearer drew； …
Thinking only of her brilliant eyes； and green and purple hue；
Thinking only of her crested head … poor foolish thing！ At last；
Up jumped the cunning Spider； and fiercely held her fast。
He dragged her up his winding stair； into his dismal den
Within his little parlor … but she ne'er came out again！
And now； dear little children； who may this story read；
To idle； silly； flattering words； I pray you ne'er give heed；
Unto an evil counsellor close heart； and ear； and eye；
And take a lesson from this tale of the Spider and the Fly。
Mary Howitt ＇1799…1888＇
THE CAPTAIN'S DAUGHTER
We were crowded in the cabin；
Not a soul would dare to sleep； …
It was midnight on the waters；
And a storm was on th