When life is young | ||
169
ROBBY'S SPAN
In the soft, green light of the leafy June,
“Maud S.” and “Nancy” were humming a tune;
Humming and chatting, they soberly swayed
In the hammock under the linden's shade.
“Maud S.” and “Nancy” were humming a tune;
Humming and chatting, they soberly swayed
In the hammock under the linden's shade.
Said “Maud S.” to “Nancy”: “To make them quite strong,
Mama said we scarcely could take too much pains”;
“Oh, yes!” answered “Nancy,” “and ever so long!—
But, how funny for horses to make their own reins!”
Mama said we scarcely could take too much pains”;
“Oh, yes!” answered “Nancy,” “and ever so long!—
But, how funny for horses to make their own reins!”
A live pair of horses. They worked side by side,
As each a crochet-needle daintily plied.
Their true names were Polly and Alice Adair,
And never was seen a more beautiful pair.
As each a crochet-needle daintily plied.
Their true names were Polly and Alice Adair,
And never was seen a more beautiful pair.
Spirited, supple, strong, gentle, and fleet
Were “Maud S.” and “Nancy,” as Robby allowed,
Rob was their master,—so chubby and sweet.
And surely he had a good right to be proud.
Were “Maud S.” and “Nancy,” as Robby allowed,
Rob was their master,—so chubby and sweet.
And surely he had a good right to be proud.
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Such a grip as he had! Such a “whoa!” and a “go!”
Such a power over horses—(of their kind, you know);
Such a genius for making them follow his will,—
For speeding them madly, or holding them still!
Such a power over horses—(of their kind, you know);
Such a genius for making them follow his will,—
For speeding them madly, or holding them still!
Well, it seems that one day, when the spirited span
Were hitched to a rose-bush that stood by the door,
At the sight of a spider, they broke loose and ran;
And Robby sat wailing as never before.
Were hitched to a rose-bush that stood by the door,
At the sight of a spider, they broke loose and ran;
And Robby sat wailing as never before.
His lines were all tangled, and broken, and torn.
The rose-bush rained petals, and sprang back in scorn,
For “Maud S.” and “Nancy,” as Robby declared,
“Had turned into girls just because they were scared:”
The rose-bush rained petals, and sprang back in scorn,
For “Maud S.” and “Nancy,” as Robby declared,
“Had turned into girls just because they were scared:”
In vain they begged pardon, flushed, laughing and warm;
In vain coaxed and kissed in their prettiest style;
But at last, by a promise, they conquered the storm,
And won from their master a nod and a smile.
In vain coaxed and kissed in their prettiest style;
But at last, by a promise, they conquered the storm,
And won from their master a nod and a smile.
They would make him “a new set of reins—good and strong!”
Make him “reins that were nearly a dozen yards long!”
Ah, “Maud S.” and “Nancy”—you beautiful span!
'T is you who can manage the stout little man!
Make him “reins that were nearly a dozen yards long!”
Ah, “Maud S.” and “Nancy”—you beautiful span!
'T is you who can manage the stout little man!
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And this was the reason they swung side by side,
As each a crochet-needle daintily plied;—
Their true names were Polly and Alice Adair,
And never was seen a more beautiful pair.
As each a crochet-needle daintily plied;—
Their true names were Polly and Alice Adair,
And never was seen a more beautiful pair.
When life is young | ||