do
Hush-a-bye, baby,
That will comfort you?
Hush-a-bye, baby,
We'll lay you down flat,
On your stomach, dear baby,
On Grandmother's lap.

{28}

Nor trot you a mite,
No matter how slight,
But, sure that your clothing is all dry and neat,
We'll loosen each band,
And with soft and warm hand,
Gently rub you all over from head to your feet.

Hush-a-bye, baby,
We will not forget,
Hush-a-bye, baby,
That hands may be wet,
Hush-a-bye, baby,
And soothe you sometimes,
When dry hands won't do it,
Hush, list to my rhymes!

{29}

And now we'll not nurse
Till the nursing's a curse;
Nor dose you, nor drug you, nor feed with sweet-meats;
Nor to soothe, will we try,
With old "Dame Winslow" by,
For our hopes for the babies, she ever defeats.

Hush-a-bye, baby,
We'll quiet his nerves,
Hush-a-bye, baby,
The truth it deserves--
Hush-a-bye, baby--
Even here to be known:
We will _quiet his nerves_
By _just calming our own!_
And our baby will feel
The sweet hush o'er him steal,
That brings with it soothing and comfort and rest;
And to slumber so soft,
His spirit we'll waft,
And then lay him away in his own baby nest.

{30}

_DON'T MAKE ME LAUGH_.

Dear Mamma, I've been laughing
For Uncle Ben and Pa,
And then for sister Lizzie
I talked "ar-g o-o" and "gar;"
And then a "little story"
For Dick and Cousin Jane,--
And now you, Mamma, want me
To laugh and talk again.

I'd like to do it,
Mamma, but if I even try,
I am so weary with it,
I'm sure I'd only cry!
Don't let them try, dear Mamma,
to make me laugh and crow,
I'll do it when I'm able,
for babies always do.

{31}

_BYE-BABY-BUNTING_.

BYE-BABY-BUNTING,
The Indians live by hunting,
And bring home many a beaver-skin
To wrap the little pappoose in.
And mother-squaw the baby'll tie
Fast on a board, and swinging high,
Will hang it up among the trees
To rock-a-bye with every breeze;
But our dear baby, snug and warm,
Shall rock-a-bye on mother's arm.

{32}

_TO BED WITH THE CHICKENS_.

Oh, put me in my bed, Mamma,
When chickens go to rest,
For I'm your little chick-a-dee,
So put me in my nest.

Yes, when the birds forget to sing,
And lambs forget to play,
You'll put your birdy in his nest,
Your lamb you'll fold away.