Black in the snow and fog,
at the great lighted airshaft, their bums rounded,
on their knees, five little ones - what anguish! -
watch the baker making the heavy white bread.

I DO not care to wait until the hand of death has smoothed your brow
Before I say what's in my heart, I'd rather tell it to you now.
I'd rather say: "How glad I am to know your cheery voice and smile,"
Than stand and say "how glad I was" in some grief-stricken after-while.
I'd rather shout: "how good you are!" than sniffle out: "how good was he!"
And so I take this Christmas Day to say you have a friend in me.

The Mary (A Sea-Side Sketch)

© Thomas Hood

Lov'st thou not, Alice, with the early tide
To see the hardy Fisher hoist his mast,
And stretch his sail towards the ocean wide,
Like God's own beadsman going forth to cast

Some Scattering Remarks Of Bub's

© James Whitcomb Riley

Wunst I looked our pepper-box lid
An' cut little pie-dough biscuits, I did,
And cooked 'em on our stove one day
When our hired girl she said I may.

To Edward Williams

© Percy Bysshe Shelley

I.
The serpent is shut out from Paradise.
The wounded deer must seek the herb no more
In which its heart-cure lies:

A Pastoral upon the birth of Prince Charles: presented to the King

© Robert Herrick

AMIN. Good day, Mirtillo. MIRT. And to you no less;

And all fair signs lead on our shepherdess.

The Old Books

They were beautiful, the old books, beautiful I tell you.

You've no idea, you young ones with all those machines;

Richborough Castle

© Edith Nesbit

THESE three grey walls are still stout and strong,

Though the fourth wide wall has crumbled away

The Island: Canto I.

I.

The morning watch was come; the vessel lay

The Kalevala - Rune XXIX

THE ISLE OF REFUGE.

Sakal hee majhi

© Sant Tukaram

None see me off. Let those go home who will
Receive this blessing from a loosing heart
Let righteous deed secure you all good weal
Ye brought me up and gave me to one