Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900.
By Henry WadsworthLongfellow199 The Childrens Hour
B
When the night is beginning to lower,
Comes a pause in the day’s occupations,
That is known as the Children’s Hour.
The patter of little feet,
The sound of a door that is opened,
And voices soft and sweet.
Descending the broad hall stair,
Grave Alice, and laughing Allegra,
And Edith with golden hair.
Yet I know by their merry eyes
They are plotting and planning together
To take me by surprise.
A sudden raid from the hall!
By three doors left unguarded
They enter my castle wall!
O’er the arms and back of my chair;
If I try to escape, they surround me;
They seem to be everywhere.
Their arms about me entwine,
Till I think of the Bishop of Bingen
In his Mouse-Tower on the Rhine!
Because you have scaled the wall,
Such an old mustache as I am
Is not a match for you all!
And will not let you depart,
But put you down into the dungeon
In the round-tower of my heart.
Yes, forever and a day,
Till the walls shall crumble to ruin,
And moulder in dust away.