UP-A-DAY

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 2034, 11 January 1889, Page 2

UP-A-DAY

, * Up- a daisy ,' sal d hla mother, j When the babe was three months, old ; f ' TJp-a-dalsy,' and she'd lift him 3 Fcom the rag whereon be roll'd ; ) Soon the boy began to prattle, I; And his lips would strive 'to say -. , ' TJp-a-daisy', but he couldn't , Master more than ' TJp-a-day V . TJp-a-dalsy — quaint expression, i Coined In some old nurse's brain, . As she tossed some merry baby I Up and down and up again ; • Bat our boy, unversed ln dlotlbn, « \ Takea it In another way, ' JHelp, assistance, comfort, laceonr; .'" Seeks he In his * Up-a-day. * % 1 Months flew by, the boy grew stronger* Childhood's little griefs and cares' Marr'd some merry, merry momenta—* Stupid stools aud naughty chatra . Would persist In falling o'er him— And as on the ground he lay He wonld kick and ooream and'coramble— - ' Mamma, mamma, Up-a-day Onward m the maroh of progress, Busy bands and toddling feet, -. ,_„ Cosy cradle superseded By the ooat bo snug and neat; Mlsohlef-maklng Utile meddler, Wearied oat at twilight grey I Clinging to the skirts of mamma—- ' Me so tired, Up a- day Oh, the golden dreams of ohildhood, Oh, the visions babies see, After tbey have lisped * Oar Faadsr, Nodding upon mother's, knee ; Cares and troubles all forgotten : . .. Till the morn's first diamond ray Opes the rosebuds aod the red lips, And the eyelids— ' Up-a-day !' Once again the little despot Rules the house with Iron will, '■" Jumps and crows, screams and soMJiablet. Not a single moment still; Merry, rippling, silv'ry laughter/ Sunshine followed aoon by spray,' Troubles orowd again upon him, : * Mamma, mamma, Up-a-day 1* - Now he falls aoross the fender, r ' Then he tumbles on the stairs; Screams aud sobs and runs to mother. With hla sorrow* and his cares ; ■* Oh, you naughty boy, what alls yoa Sonny, <}o be quiet, pray— | Dare now, dere now, what's de matttt ' ;' Mamma, mamma, Up-a-day T * Papa, turn and play me so jtrs; I Me will ahoot'oo wit my dun ;' Fierce the onslaught —papa's vanquished, Baby haa the viotory won y Ah I the fate of war is oruel, ,r: Baby's gun breaks In the fray; 'Oh, my dun, my dun la broken— Mamma, mamma, Up-a-day 1' Babyhood is manhood's mirror ; Joya and sorrow*, smiles and teait Find their birthplace m the cradle, Growing stronger with the years ; 1 Mother, is our cry m Springtime, But when winter holds hia sway, From the depths. we raise car vofcti-* « Father, Father, Up-a-.clay ] „ , • Ah, the time will come, my darling vVhenthe hearts that shield tht 6 AOY * Shall be silent, and time's f urrowa * Will leave traces on thy brow ; When the' shadows fall upon th?e, Turn thlne'eyjs from Earth aw*y, 'L'ft thy vrlce and c.ry with fervourFather, Father, Up- -\* j» ■ •* ■ ' •".Thomas BSAQSUfI