Happy Thought
The world is so full of a number of things,
I’m sure we should all be happy as kings.
Robert Louis Stevenson
I have a little book published by Rand McNally & Company in 1943 of Robert Louis Stevenson‘s A Child’s Garden of Verses, which is what we will be talking about today! My copy has no back cover; it was ripped off long ago, I suppose.
Inside is the inscription, ‘To Glover from Mother, Daddy Xmas ’43’. There was a nice man from my church named Glover Robinson who passed away, and somehow this book went into an auction my church was holding. I’m so glad to have this as part of my collection, knowing this was his. It also has lots of pretty pictures inside!
This one conjures images of times when we stayed home sick, playing with our toys if we felt better as the day went on.
The Land of Counterpane
When I was sick and lay abed,
I had two pillows at my head,
And all my toys beside me lay
To keep me happy all the day.
And sometimes for an hour or so
I watched my leaden soldiers go,
With different uniforms and drills,
Among the bedclothes, through the hills;
And sometimes sent my ships in fleets
All up and down among the sheets;
Or brought my trees and houses out,
And planted cities all about.
I was the giant great and still
That sits on the pillow-hill,
And sees before him, dale and plain,
The pleasant land of counterpane.
Robert Louis Stevenson
This last one I love. It gives me a warm feeling, reminding me of the falling sun in summer. You know, the time of day between afternoon and dark; nature’s clock that gently told you that it was time to go home after a long day of play at your friend’s house down the street.
The Lamplighter
My tea is nearly ready and the sun has left the sky.
It’s time to take the window to see Leerie going by;
For every night at teatime and before you take your seat,
With lantern and with ladder he comes posting up the street.
Now Tom would be a driver and Maria go to sea,
And my papa’s a banker and as rich as he can be;
But I, when I am stronger and can choose what I’m to do,
O Leerie, I’ll go round at night and light the lamps with you!
For we are very lucky, with a lamp before the door,
And Leerie stops to light it as he lights so many more;
And oh! before you hurry by with ladder and with light,
O Leerie, see a little child and nod to him tonight!
Robert Louis Stevenson
Do you own any antique books that you treasure? We want to hear about them in the comments!