Fragments from "Under The Lilacs".

    "So he took up his bow,
    And he feathered his arrow,
    And said, 'I will shoot
    This little cock-sparrow.'"

**    *    *

    "'Tis good to make all duty sweet,
    To be alert and kind;
    'Tis good, like Littie Mabel,
    To have a willing mind."

**    *    *    *

    "Benny had a little dog,
    His fleece was white as snow,
    And everywhere that Benny went,
    The dog was sure to go.


    He went into the School one day,
    which was against the rule;
    It made the children laugh and play
    To see a dog --"

**    *    *    *

Louisa May Alcott

Louisa May Alcott was an American novelist and poet best known as the author of the novel 'Little Women' and its sequels 'Little Men' and 'Jo's Boys.' Born in Germantown, Pennsylvania, she grew up in Massachusetts. She was an abolitionist and a feminist and was active in both the Transcendentalist and suffragist movements. Alcott began writing to support her family and went on to publish numerous works that have had a lasting impact on American literature.

Louisa May Alcott

Chevalita

Louisa May Alcott, Simple Poetry

Morning Song Of The Bees

Louisa May Alcott, Simple Poetry

Flowers, dear flowers, farewell!

Louisa May Alcott, Simple Poetry

Welcome, Maids Of Honor

Louisa May Alcott, Simple Poetry

English

Suggested Poems

Explore a curated selection of verses that share themes, styles, and emotional resonance with the poem you've just read.

The Little Cock-Sparrow

1

A little cock-sparrow sat on a high tree,
A little cock-sparrow sat on a high tree,
A little cock-sparrow sat on a high tree,
And he chirrupped, he chirrupped so merrily.
He chirrupped, he chirrupped, he chirrupped, he chirrupped,
He chirrupped, he chirrupped, he chirrupped, he chirrupped,
A little cock-sparrow sat on a high tree,
And he chirrupped, he chirrupped so merrily.

2

A naughty little boy with a bow and arrow,
Determined to shoot this little cock-sparrow;

3

For this little cock-sparrow would make a nice stew,
And his giblets would make a nice little pie too.

4

"Oh, no," says cock-sparrow, "I won't make a stew,"
And he fluttered his wings, and away he flew.

Walter Crane

Fragments

    I am the monarch of the Sea,
    The ruler of the Queen's Navee,--
    When at anchor here I ride,
    My bosom swells with pride,
    And I snap my fingers at a foeman's taunts.


    And so do his sisters, and his cousins, and his aunts
    His sisters and his cousins!
    Whom he reckons by the dozens,
    And his aunts!


    "I am the lowliest tar
    That sails the water.
    And you, proud maiden, are
    My captain's daughter."


    "Refrain, audacious tar.
    Your suit from pressing;
    Remember what you are,
    And whom addressing."



    For I am called Little Buttercup,--dear Little Buttercup,
    Though I never could tell why;
    But still I'm called Buttercup,--poor Little Butt...

Louisa May Alcott

In The Garret

    Four little chests all in a row,
    Dim with dust, and worn by time,
    All fashioned and filled, long ago,
    By children now in their prime.
    Four little keys hung side by side,
    With faded ribbons, brave and gay
    When fastened there, with childish pride,
    Long ago, on a rainy day.
    Four little names, one on each lid,
    Carved out by a boyish hand,
    And underneath there lieth hid
    Histories of the happy band
    Once playing here, and pausing oft
    To hear the sweet refrain,
    That came and went on the roof aloft,
    In the falling summer rain.


    "Meg" on the first lid, smooth and fair.
    I look in with loving eyes,
    For folded here, with well-known care,
    A goodly gathering lies,
 ...

Louisa May Alcott

Sweet! Sweet!

    "Sweet! Sweet!
    Come, come and eat,
    Dear little girls
    With yellow curls;
    For here you'll find
    Sweets to your mind.
    On every tree
    Sugar-plums you'll see;
    In every dell
    Grows the caramel.
    Over every wall
    Gum-drops fall;
    Molasses flows
    Where our river goes
    Under your feet
    Lies sugar sweet;
    Over your head
    Grow almonds red.
    Our lily and rose
    Are not for the nose;
    Our flowers we pluck
    To eat or suck
    And, oh! what bliss
    When two friends kiss,
    For they honey sip
    From lip to lip!
    And all you meet,
    In house or street,
    At work or play,
    Sweethearts are they.
    So, little dear,
  ...

Louisa May Alcott

Splash, Dash!

    "Splash, dash!
    Rumble and crash!
    Here come the beavers gay;
    See what they do,
    Rosy, for you,
    Because you helped me one day."


    "They come at my call;
    And though they are small,
    They'll dig the passage clear:
    I never forget;
    We'll save them yet,
    For love of Rosy dear."

Louisa May Alcott

Now Hark, Little May

    "Now hark, little May,
    If you want to do right,
    Under your pillow
    Just look every night.
    If you have been good
    All through the day,
    A gift you will find,
    Useful or gay;
    But if you have been
    Cross, selfish, or wild,
    A bad thing will come
    For the naughty child.
    So try, little dear,
    And soon you will see
    How easy and sweet
    To grow good it will be."


    "Ha, ha, you can't see,
    Although I am here;
    But listen to what
    I say in your ear.
    Tell no one of this.
    Because, if you do,
    My fun will be spoilt,
    And so will yours too.
    But if you are good,
    And patient, and gay,
    A real fairy will come
    To see l...

Louisa May Alcott