Written upon Eva Orton's third birthday.
A robin up in the linden-tree
Merrily sings this lay:
"Somebody sweet is three years old—
Three years old to-day."
Somebody's bright blue eyes look up
Through tangled curls of gold,
And two red lips unclose to say—
"To-day I am free years old."
Clouds were over the sky this morn,
But now they are sailing away;
Clouds could never obscure the sun
On somebody sweet's birthday.
Bluest of skies and greenest of trees,
Sunlight and birds and flowers,
These are Nature's birthday gifts
To this sweet pet of ours.
The pantry is brimming with cakes and creams
For somebody's birthday ball.
Papa and mamma bring their gifts,
But their love is better than all.
Ribbons and sashes, and dainty robes,
Gifts of silver and gold,
Will fade and rust as the days go by,
But their hearts will not grow cold.
Then laugh in the sunlight, somebody sweet—
Little flower of June!
You have nothing to do with care,
For life is in perfect tune.
Loving hearts and sheltering arms
Shall keep old care away
For many a year, from somebody sweet,
Who is three years old to-day.
Milwaukee, June 26, 1873