[Illustration]


THE GREAT JOURNEY.


"Come, my baby, all alone!"
Was so long a baby-journey ever known?
All the way, so wide and bare,
From the table to the chair;
'Tis no wonder he should linger,
Holding on to papa's finger,
Though his mother beckons there
From her throne,
With, "Come, baby, all alone!"

"Come, my baby, all alone!"
Were such mingled doubt and daring ever shown?
Now he drops his hold, and then
Closer clings to it again;
Now he steps out with a shiver,
As one tries a rapid river,
And shrinks back, and wonders when,
Taller grown,
Baby shall go all alone.

"Here comes baby, all alone!"
Was a more victorious bravery ever known?
Right across the trackless space
The small feet have won their race;