Bedtime

<SPAN name="startofbook"></SPAN> <h1 id="id02256" style="margin-top: 5em"> <i>BEDTIME</i>.</h1> <p id="id02257" style="margin-top: 2em">  "Come, children, put away your toys;<br/> Roll up that kite's long line;<br/> The day is done for girls and boys—<br/> Look, it is almost nine!<br/> Come, weary foot, and sleepy head,<br/> Get up, and come along to bed."<br/></p> <p id="id02258">  The children, loath, must yet obey;<br/> Up the long stair they creep;<br/> Lie down, and something sing or say<br/> Until they fall asleep,<br/> To steal through caverns of the night<br/> Into the morning's golden light.<br/></p> <p id="id02259">  We, elder ones, sit up more late,<br/> And tasks unfinished ply,<br/> But, gently busy, watch and wait—<br/> Dear sister, you and I,<br/> To hear the Father, with soft tread,<br/> Coming to carry us to bed.<br/></p> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />