The Children's Hour

Bet ween the dark and the davlight , When the night is bogiiming lo lower, Comes a pause in the day's ocaupntions , That isknown is the Childrcn's Hour. I lioar in the chamber above me The putter of little feel, The sound of a door thut is opened, And voicea soft aud swíet. From my study I jee in the lnmplight, Doíconding tho broad hal] stair, Grave Alieo and laugbiog Allegra, And Edilh with Golden hsir. A whufasr, and then a silenoe : Yct 1 know by their merry eyes Thcy are plotting anti planning together, To takeme by surprise. A sudden rush from the stairway A iad dun raid from the hall I By three doors left. unguarded They enter my easlle wall 1 They climb up into my turret O'or the nnps and back of my ohair; If I Iry to escape, they surround me; They seem to be everywhere I Theyalrnost devour me with kissea, Their nrms around me entwine, Till 1 thi-.ik of the Bishop of Bingen In his House-Tower on the Rhine I Do you think, O blue eyed banditti, Because you have sealed the wall, Sueh an old moustache as I am Is not a match for you all? I have you fast in my fortress, And will not let you depart, But put you down into the dungeons In the round tower of my heart. And tliere will I keep you forever. Tes, forever and a day, Tül the walls shail erumble to ruin, And moulder in dust awayl