Irodalom-birodalom - Csicsada naplója

Fritz and I are not brother and sister, but we're next-door neighbours; for we both live next door.
I mean we both live next door to each other; for I live at number three, and Fritz and Nickel the dog live at number four.
In summer we climb through the garret windows and sit together on the leads,
And if the sun is too hot Mother lends us one big kerchief to put over both our heads.
Sometimes she gives us tea under the myrtle tree in the big pot that stands in the gutter.
(One slice each, and I always give Fritz the one that has the most butter.)
In winter we sit on the little stool by the stove at number four;
For when it's cold Fritz doesn't like to go out to come in next door.
It was one day in spring that he said, "I should like to have a house to myself with you Grethel, and Nickel." And I said, "Thank you, Fritz."
And he said, "If you'll come in at tea-time and sit by the stove, I'll tell you tales that'll frighten you into fits.
About boys who ran away from their homes, and were taken by robbers, and run after by wolves, and altogether in a dreadful state.
I saw the pictures of it in a book I was looking in, to see where perhaps I should like to emigrate.
I've not quite settled whether I shall, or be cast away on a desert island, or settle down nearer home;
But you'd better come in and hear about it, and then, wherever it is, you'll be sure to be ready to come."
So I took my darling Katerina in my arms, and we went in to tea.
I love Katerina, though she lost her head long ago, poor thing; but Fritz made me put her off my knee,
For he said, "When you're hushabying that silly old doll I know you're not attending to me.
Now look here, Grethel, I think I have made up my mind that we won't go far;
For we can have a house, and I can be master of it just as well where we are.
Under the stairs would be a good place for a house for us if there's room.
It's very dirty, but you're the housewife now, and you must sweep it out well with the broom.
I shall expect you to keep my house very comfortable, and have my meals ready when there's anything to eat;
And when Nickel and I come back from playing outside, you may peep out and pretend you're watching for us coming up the street.
You've kept your apple, I see—I've eaten mine—well, it will be something to make a start,
And I'll put by some of my cake, if you'll keep some of yours, and remember Nickel must have part.
I call it your cake and your apple, but of course now you're my housewife everything belongs to me;
But I shall give you the management of it, and you must make it go as far as you can amongst three.
And if you make nice feasts every day for me and Nickel, and never keep us waiting for our food,
And always do everything I want, and attend to everything I say, I'm sure I shall almost always be good.
And if I am naughty now and then, it'll most likely be your fault; and, if it isn't, you mustn't mind;
For even if I seem to be cross, you ought to know that I mean to be kind.
And I'm sure you'll like combing Nickel's hair for my sake; it'll be something for you to do, and it bothers me so!
But it must be done regularly, for if it's not, his curls tangle into lugs as they grow.
I think that's all, dear Grethel, for I love you so much that I'm sure to be easy to please.
Only remember—it's a trifle—but when I want you, never keep that headless doll on your knees.
I'd much rather not have her in my house—there, don't cry! if you will have her, I suppose it must be;
Though I can't think what you want with Katerina when you've got Nickel and me."
So I said, "Thank you, dear Fritz, for letting me bring her, for I've had her so long I shouldn't like to part with her now;
And I'll try and do everything you want as well as I can, now you've told me how."
But next morning I heard Fritz's garret-window open, and he put out his head,
And shouted, "Grethel! Grethel! I want you. Be quick! Haven't you got out of bed?"
I ran to the window and said, "What is it, dear Fritz?" and he said, "I want to tell you that I've changed my mind.
Hans-Wandermann is here, and he says there are real sapphires on the beach; so I'm off to see what I can find."
"Oh, Fritz!" I said, "can't I come too?" but he said, "You'd better not, you'll only be in the way.
You can stop quietly at home with Katerina, and you may have Nickel too, if he'll stay."
But Nickel wouldn't. I give him far more of my cake than Fritz does, but he likes Fritz better than me.
So dear Katerina and I had breakfast together on the leads under the old myrtle tree.

*
(Juliana Horatia Ewing: VERSES FOR CHILDREN and SONGS FOR MUSIC
VERSES FOR CHILDREN 1874, 1879.
London: Society for Promoting Shristian Knowledge,
Northumberland Avenue, W.C.
New York: E.-J.B. Young/Co.
1879.)

Found in the garden—dead in his beauty.
Ah! that a linnet should die in the spring!
Bury him, comrades, in pitiful duty,
Muffle the dinner-bell, solemnly ring.

Bury him kindly—up in the corner;
Bird, beast, and gold-fish are sepulchred there;
Bid the black kitten march as chief mourner,
Waving her tail like a plume in the air.

Bury him nobly—next to the donkey;
Fetch the old banner, and wave it about:
Bury him deeply—think of the monkey,
Shallow his grave, and the dogs got him out.

Bury him softly—white wool around him,
Kiss his poor feathers,—the first kiss and last;
Tell his poor widow kind friends have found him:
Plant his poor grave with what ever grows fast.

Farewell, sweet singer! dead in thy beauty,
Silent through summer, though other birds sing;
Bury him, comrades, in pitiful duty,
Muffle the dinner-bell, mournfully ring.

*

(Forrás: Juliana Horatia Ewing: VERSES FOR CHILDREN and SONGS FOR MUSIC
VERSES FOR CHILDREN 1874, 1879.
London: Society for Promoting Shristian Knowledge,
Northumberland Avenue, W.C.
New York: E.-J.B. Young/Co.
1879.)

It’s very nice to think of how
In every country lives a Cow
To furnish milk with all her might
For Kittens’ comfort and delight.

(Forrás: The Kitten’s Garden of Verses By Oliver Herford – New York – Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1911.)

When People think that Kittens play,
It’s really quite the other way.
For when they chase the Ball or Bobbin
They learn to catch a Mouse or Robin.

The Kitten, deaf to Duty’s call,
Who will not chase the bounding ball,
A hungry Cathood will enjoy,
The scorn of Mouse and Bird and Boy.

(Forrás: The Kitten’s Garden of Verses By Oliver Herford – New York – Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1911.)

There’s a funny little kitten that tries to look like me,
But though I’m round and fluffy, he’s as flat as flat can be;
And when I try to mew to him he never makes a sound,
And when I jump into the air he never leaves the ground.

He has a way of growing, I don’t understand at all.
Sometimes he’s very little and sometimes he’s very tall.
And once when int he garden when the sun came up at dawn
He greq so big I think he stretched half-was
across the lawn.

(Forrás: The Kitten’s Garden of Verses By Oliver Herford – New York – Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1911.)

The rain is raining wverywhere,
Kittens to shelter fly –
But Human Folk wear overshoes,
To keep their hind paws dry.

(Forrás: The Kitten’s Garden of Verses By Oliver Herford – New York – Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1911.)

ONLY half an hour or so
Before nurse calls them to bed,
And the ruddy light of a cheerful fire
Shines over each curly head.

No trouble have they, no sorrow –
Their hearts are lighter than air,
No fear that a dark to-morrow
May bring with it want or care.

God send them each on their pathway
Many a wayside flower;
And grant, int he evening of lifetime,
The joy of the evening hour.

(Forrás: Lizzie Lawson-Robert Ellice Mack: Christmas Roses, Griffith Farran & Company 1886?)

I HEAR a Song
I think ’tis a thrush’s.
He sings to the Wild Rose
See how she blushes!

(Forrás: Lizzie Lawson-Robert Ellice Mack: Christmas Roses, Griffith Farran & Company 1886?)

„SHAKE hands, shake hands my little girl,”
Said Mister Crab to Nell,
„I’m very glad to meet you dear,
I hope you are quite well.
I think it’s very hot to-day,
I feel it in my shell.”

„I can’t shake hands with you,” said Nell,
„It isn’t thought polite,
Without an introduction;
Besides, no doubt it’s spite,
It mayn’t be true, but still they do,
They do say that you-BITE.”

(Forrás: Lizzie Lawson-Robert Ellice Mack: Christmas Roses, Griffith Farran & Company 1886?)

THERE are days of summer sunshine,
Of wrm and sunny weather,
When the hedge is full of hawthorn
And hills are glad with heather.

There are days of silent sadness,
Of frost, and snow, and rain,
When we fear that summer’s gladness
Will never come again.

And now our songs are minor key,
And now in merry tune;
The windward side will change to lee,
And January to June.

Day and hight the sun is shining,
Though he may hide his head;
Each cloud has a silver lining,
The flowers are asleep not dead.

Every day may have its playtime
Made bright by cheerful lays;
And life be one long Maytime,
A year of golden days.

(Forrás: Lizzie Lawson-Robert Ellice Mack: Christmas Roses, Griffith Farran & Company 1886?)

SHALL I sing you a song, not short and not long,
Of a story-book fairy who hides all a mong
The covers andf leaves of your pictures and prints,
And colors them all with such beautiful tints?

First he kisses the girls with the fairest of curls
Then they blush like red roses and each head whirls.
In each little eye drops a bit of blue sky,
And colors each frock with a wonderful dye.

His breathing I ween is the wonderful sheen,
That clothes trees and meadows with loveliest green,
The buttercups bold, it need hardly be told,
Are gilded by him with the finest of gold.

It is he I suppose who paints th ered rose,
And the rest of the flowers which every one knows,
And the same red will do (or  similar hue),
For Robin and little Red Riding Hood too.

He’s awake it is said when you are abed,
Fort he picture-book children some stories he’ll tell,
And sometimes he’ll read them their verses as well.

The moment you open your picture book he
Is away out of sight as quick as can be,
For fairy law says that a fairy must die
The instant he’s seen by one human eye.

(Forrás: Lizzie Lawson-Robert Ellice Mack: Christmas Roses, Griffith Farran & Company 1886?)

THE tiny crocus is so bold
It peeps its head above the mould,
Before the flowers awaken,
To say that spring is coming, dear,
With sunshine and that winter drear
Will soon be overtaken.

(Forrás: Lizzie Lawson-Robert Ellice Mack: Christmas Roses, Griffith Farran & Company 1886?)

LIKE clouds that flit across the sky,
So follow hopes and fears.-
What in these clouds see you and me
Dear Sweetheart, smiles or tears?

This little airy fleecy wing,
That flits across the blue,
What message Sweetheart does it bring
Of hope or fear to you?

Pray God it brings you sunny hours
And haply some few tears
To bless like showers your summer flowers
Int he long coming years.

(Forrás: Lizzie Lawson-Robert Ellice Mack: Christmas Roses, Griffith Farran & Company 1886?)

LITTLE Bo peep
has lost her Sheep,
(It’s a secret to you
I’m confiding.)
At the end of the shelf,
Where she put them herself
Her Baa-lambs are safely hiding.

If you put a thing carefully, safely away,
You’re sure not to find it when wanted next day.

(Forrás: Lizzie Lawson-Robert Ellice Mack: Christmas Roses, Griffith Farran & Company 1886?)

ONCE there lived, I’m not sure where,
May be Arcadee,
Sweet-Heart and his mistress fair,
Little He and She;

And they danced a measure light,
Danced in very glee.
Hand in hand, a pretty sight,
Little He and She.

When they ceased his bright eyes fell,
Darling must we stay?
Can’t we dance so happily
You and I for aye?

Then she slasped his hand again,
Whispered sweet and low,
„Dearest, always hand in hand
You and I will go.”

So they danced with merry feet,
E’en in Arcadee,
Happier pair you ne’er will meet,
Little He and She.

(Forrás: Lizzie Lawson-Robert Ellice Mack: Christmas Roses, Griffith Farran & Company 1886?)

„YOU are a naughty pussy-cat,
I think it right to mention that,
To all who see your picture here,
’Twas you who broke my Bunny dear.

An hour ago, as you can tell,
I left him here, alive and well;
And now he’s dead and, what is more,
You’ve broke his leg I’m pretty sure.

For you my puss I’ll never care,
No never, never, never, there,
And you are in disgrace you know,
And int he corner you must go.

What crying? Then I must cry too
And I can’t bear to punish you;
Perhaps my Bunny isn’t dead,
perhaps you’ve only stunned his head.

And though I’m sure you broke his leg,
It may be mended with a peg,
And though he’s very, very, funny,
My Bunny’s not a real Bunny,
And I’ll forgive and tell you that,
You’re my own precious pussy cat.”

(Forrás: Lizzie Lawson-Robert Ellice Mack: Christmas Roses, Griffith Farran & Company 1886?)

„IT’S bedtime, bedtime, Cissy dear,
It’s time to put away,
Your little Noah’s ark dear
Until another day,
You know it isn’t right at all
To tire yourself with play.

And they too must be tired dear,
The elephants want to go
To bed, - if they’re much later,
They’ll all be ill I know,
And every well bred camel,
Is in bed long ago.

And surely you can see dear,
It really isn’t right,
The little dove’s so tired dear,
She scarce can stand upright.
It does not do to keep them up
So very late at night.”

(Forrás: Lizzie Lawson-Robert Ellice Mack: Christmas Roses, Griffith Farran & Company 1886?)

BRING Frost, bring Snow,
Come winter,
Bring us holly,
Bring Joy at Christmas,
Off with Melancholy!

Sing hie, sing hey,
Sing ho,
Sing holly,
Sing hie for Christmas!
Isn’t winter jolly?

Sing Jack, Sing Jill,
Sing Jo,
Sing Polly,
Sing hie for Christmas,
Mistletoe and Holly.

(Forrás: Lizzie Lawson-Robert Ellice Mack: Christmas Roses, Griffith Farran & Company 1886?)

POLLY’S the mate of the Nancy Lee,
And Tom is the skipper bold,
They sail together
In rough wind and weather,
And they are the crew, all told.

In their taut and trim little boat they ride
Away o’er the bright blue sea,
With hands ever ready,
And hearts ever steady
Whatever the dangers may be.
And a smarter crew will never be found,
Though you may search the whole world round.

(Forrás: Lizzie Lawson-Robert Ellice Mack: Christmas Roses, Griffith Farran & Company 1886?)

„WHO’S afraid of a cat?” said he;
„I’m not afraid of a cat.”
He was a bird who sat on a rail,
With five other birds, and this was his tale.
„I’m not afraid of a cat.”

„I might be afraid if I were a mouse,
Or even if I were a rat:
Buta s I’m a bird
I give you my word
I’m not afraid of a cat.”

A cat and her kits came down ont he scene,
Five birds flew over the rail;
Our hero was caught
As quick as a thought,
And didn’t he alter his tale!

„You’ve made a mistake, Mister Cat,” said he?
„You must please let me go, Mister Cat.
I’m not at all nice,
I don’t taste like mice:
You’d much better have a young rat.”
Said the cat, „It’s no use,
You may be a goose,
I’ll not let you go for all that.”

(Forrás: Lizzie Lawson-Robert Ellice Mack: Christmas Roses,
Griffith Farran & Company 1886?)

„MY dears, whatever are you at?
You ought to be at home;
I told you not to wet your feet –
I told you not to roam.

„Oh, dear! I’m sure you will be drowned!
I never saw such tricks
Come home at once, and go to bed,
You naughty naughty chicks.”

Now most of them were five days old,
But one, whose age was six –
„Please, ma’am,” said he, „I think we’re ducks;
I don’t believe we’re chicks!”

(Forrás: Lizzie Lawson-Robert Ellice Mack: Christmas Roses,
Griffith Farran & Company 1886?)

ITS Father’s boat we’re watching,
Away out ont he sea,
She’s named the Pretty Polly,
One hundred and ninety three,
Father called her the Polly,
After Mother and me.

There isn’t a smarter boat
Than Father’s on the sea,
The Pretty Polly is our ship,
Father’s the skipper is he,
And we are watching for Father,
We’re watching, Nancy and me.

Sometimes the wind blows wildly,
But Nancy, and Mother, and me,
We sing a bit of a hímn we know,
The hymn for those at sea,
Although when we think of Father,
We’re as near to choke as can be.

To night the moon will be shining,
A sight it will be to see,
Father’s ship all in silver,
A’sail on a silver sea,
And Father himself a coming home
To Mother and Nancy and me.

(Forrás: Lizzie Lawson-Robert Ellice Mack: Christmas Roses,
Griffith Farran & Company 1886?)

„I HAVE a little Bunny with a coat as soft as down,
And nearly all of him is white except one bit of brown.
The first thing int he morning when I get out of bed,
I wonder if my Bunny’s still safe in his little shed.

And than the next thing that I do I dare say you have guessed;
It’s to go at once and see him, when I am wshed and dressed.
And every day I see him I like him more and more,
And each day he is bigger than he ws the day before.

I feed him int he morning with bran and bits of bread,
And every night I take some straw to make his little bed.
What with carrots int he morning and turnip-tops for tea,
If a bunny can be happy, I’m sure he ought to be.

Then when it’s nearly bedtime I go down to his shed,
And say ’Good night you Bunny’ before I go to bed.
I thint there’s only one thing that would make me happy quite,
If I could take my Bunny dear with me to bed at night?”

(Forrás: Lizzie Lawson-Robert Ellice Mack: Christmas Roses,
Griffith Farran & Company 1886?)

„I DONT believe that Santa Claus will come to you and me,
Said little crippled Nell,” a’cause, we are so poor you see;
And then I don’t believe the ’chimbley’s’ wide enough for him,
D’ye think that Santa Claus will come, when all the lights are dim.”
„Of course he comes to every one, dear, whether rich or poor;
Now go to bed dear Nell,” said Nan, „he’ll come to-night I’m sure.”

*    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *
I don’t know if by chimney or if by stair he crept,
But sure enough he visited the room where Nelly slept.
He brought a golden orange, and a monkey red and blue,
That climbed a little wooden stick in a way I couldn’t do.
He hung them in Nell’s stocking, and Nan was right, be sure,
That Santa Claus loves every one howerer rich or poor.

(Forrás: Lizzie Lawson-Robert Ellice Mack: Christmas Roses,
Griffith Farran & Company 1886?)

A BUNCH of Christmas Roses, dear,
To greet my fairest child,
I plucked them in my garden where
The drifting snow lay piled.

I cannot bring thee violets dear,
Or cowslips growing wild,
Or daisy chain for thee to wear,
For thee to wear, my child.

For all the grassy meadows near
Are clad with snow, my child;
Through all the days of winter drear
No ray of sun has smiled.

I plucked this bunch of verses, dear,
From out my garden wild,
I plucked them int he winter drear
For you, my fairest child,
Your wet and wintry hours to cheer,
They’re Christmas Roses, chold.

(Forrás: Lizzie Lawson-Robert Ellice Mack: Christmas Roses,
Griffith Farran & Company 1886?)

Watching a ball ont he end of a string,
Wtching it swing back and to,
Oh, I do think itt he pleasantest thing
Ever a Kitten can do.

First it goes this way, then it goes that,
Just like a bird ont he wing.
And all of a tremble I crouch ont he mat
Like a Lion, preparing to spring.

And now with a terrible deafening mew,
Like a Tiger I leap on my prey,
And just when I think I have torn it in two
It is u pin the air and away..

(Forrás: The Kitten’s Garden of Verses By Oliver Herford – New York – Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1911.)

In Winter when the air is chill,
And winds are blowing loud and shrill,
All snug and warm I sit and purr,
Wrapped in my overcoat of fur.

In Summer quite the other way,
I find it very hot all day,
But Human People do not care,
For they have nice thin clothes to wear.

And does it not seem hard to you,
When all the world is like a stew,
And I am much too warm to purr,
I have to wear my Winter Fur?

(Forrás: The Kitten’s Garden of Verses By Oliver Herford – New York – Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1911.)