THE TWO CRADLES THE BABY PRINCESS The cradle, carved like an open shell Of ebony, polished bright, Was all inlaid with silver rare That shone in the mellow light,-- Which streamed through the tiny curtains, wove Of silver gauze and velvet flowers, And lightly touched the infant's cheek, As it lay in satin wrappings, weak, And slept through the quiet hours; And the princess dreamed in her costly bed, With a lady grand at her feet and head; And never knew nor cared what grace Had fashioned frills of her dainty lace; For she dreamed no sweeter while she slept, Nor suffered less when in pain she wept; Though the lullaby in the chorus said: "There's a sparkling crown for the royal head." THE LITTLE RUSTIC In its cradle-hammock, cool and light, A baby swayed in the summer air; And through the leaves of the spreading trees, It looked on the pure, blue heavens there; And smiled as the warblers sang a song, And cooed as the sweet breeze swept along, Till its eyelids drooped and the lashes lay On the velvet cheek; while the mother there Guards still the babe of her tender care: And the winds blow soft as they come that way To touch the curls, and then whispering say, "Peace to the child in its hammock bed, And crowns of health for the bright young head." endpaper divider