 | 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.
170
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!
171
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 | |