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Stories and ballads for young folks cover

Stories and ballads for young folks

Chapter 47: A NEW TOY.
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About This Book

A mixed collection of short narratives and lyrical pieces aimed at young readers, blending domestic vignettes, playful adventures, and brief moral sketches. Many items focus on childhood scenes—games, family interactions, small acts of kindness and perseverance—while others drift into fairy-tale or fanciful territory with giants, princesses, and imaginative escapades. Interspersed ballads and poems celebrate nature, simple joys, and consolation, shifting tone between humor, tenderness, and gentle instruction. The pieces are concise and varied, alternating story and verse to amuse, soothe, and offer mild ethical reflections appropriate for a youthful audience.

A NEW TOY.

Sunshine dances on the floor;
Baby reaches after;
Golden toy, ne’er touched before,
Wakens smiles and laughter.
Mighty orb, so wondrous bright,
Human gaze defying,
The round earth with warmth and light
Lavishly supplying;
Making green the forest wide,
Blue the ocean’s billow,
And the rosy eventide
Meet to be thy pillow;
Clothing vale and slope and plain
With rare blossom-treasure,
Purpling grape and rip’ning grain
For the people’s pleasure;
Driving chill and gloom away,
Wheresoe’er they may be;—
Lo, thou bringest, god of day,
Playthings for a baby.