Sweetheart’s Surprise
By Mary E. C. Wyeth
I.
Rosebud! Goldilocks! Busy Bee!
Sweetest of all sweethearts to me!
Where art thou hiding? “Tum an’ see!”
Ah, those rippling child-tones,
Sweet with baby glee,
Lure my feet to lightness
When they summon me.
II.
Where away, darling? Where hast thou fled?
Shine out and show me thy sunny-ringed head.
Ho! hiding there in my white lily bed!
“Ha, ha! pitty mamma!
Finks you’se foun’ me out?
Dess you tant imazhin
What dis dirl’s about.”
III.
“Huwwy up—fas’ you tan—shut ’oo eyes,
Sweetheart’s dot such a lovely s’prise!
Peep now, twick, mamma, ’fore he flies!”
Ope her waxen fingers
On a jewel rare:
Lo! a gleaming humming-bird,
Darting through the air!
IV.
“Flied yite into my hands—dess so.
Wasn’t it tunnin’ to see him go?
Wasn’t it lovely to s’prise you, though?”
Oh, thou wee, wise baby,
Early to divine,
’Tis the sweet surprise that makes
Simplest joys to shine.