No Baby in the House

No baby in the house, I know, -- 'Tis far too nice and clean;No toys by careless fingers strewn, Upon the floors are seen.No finger-marks are on the panes, No scratches on the chairs,No wooden men set up in rows, Or marshaled off in pairs;No little stockings to be darned, All ragged at the toes,No pile of mending to be done, Made up of baby-clothes;No little troubles to be soothed, No little hands to fold,No grimy fingers to be washed, No stories to be told;No tender kisses to be given, No nicknames, "Dove" and "Mouse";No merry frolic after tea, -- No baby in the house.