LESSON 73 BEDTIME

BEDTIME

pim-per-nel but-ter-fly mead-ow

clos-ing drow-sy dawn-ing

1. The evening is coming; the sun sinks to rest;

　The rooks are all flying straight home to their nest.

　"Caw!" says the rook as he flies overhead;

　It's time little people were going to bed.

2. The flowers are closing; the daisy's asleep;

　The primrose is buried in slumber so deep,

　Shut up for the night is the pimpernel 〔1〕 red;

　It's time little people were going to bed.

3. The butterfly, drowsy 〔2〕 , has folded its wing;

　The bees are home coming; no more the birds sing;

　Their labour is over, their nestlings 〔3〕 are fed;

　It's time little people were going to bed.

4. Here comes the pony, his work is all done;

　Down through the meadow 〔4〕 he takes a good run;

　Up go his heels and down goes his head;

　It's time little people were going to bed.

BEDTIME

5. Good night, little people, good night, and good night!

　Sweet dreams to your eyelids till dawning of light;

　The evening has come; there's no more to be said;

　It's time little people were going to bed.

—T. HOOD

注释

〔1〕 pimpernel: A small red flower.

〔2〕 drowsy: Sleepy.

〔3〕 nestlings: Young birds in the nest.

〔4〕 meadow: Grassy field.