Little Elfie + 

I have a puppet-jointed child, + 

She’s but three half-years old; + 

Through lawless hair her eyes gleam wild + 

With looks both shy and bold. + 

Like little imps, her tiny hands + 

Dart out and push and take; + 

Chide her⁠—a trembling thing she stands, + 

And like two leaves they shake. + 

But to her mind a minute gone + 

Is like a year ago; + 

And when you lift your eyes anon, + 

Anon you must say “No!” + 

Sometimes, though not oppressed with care, + 

She has her sleepless fits; + 

Then, blanket-swathed, in that round chair + 

The elfish mortal sits;⁠— + 

Where, if by chance in mood more grave, + 

A hermit she appears + 

Propped in the opening of his cave, + 

Mummied almost with years; + 

Or like an idol set upright + 

With folded legs for stem, + 

Ready to hear prayers all the night + 

And never answer them. + 

But where’s the idol-hermit thrust? + 

Her knees like flail-joints go! + 

Alternate kiss, her mother must, + 

Now that, now this big toe! + 

I turn away from her, and write + 

For minutes three or four: + 

A tiny spectre, tall and white, + 

She’s standing by the door! + 

Then something comes into my head + 

That makes me stop and think: + 

She’s on the table, the quadruped, + 

And dabbling in my ink! + 

O Elfie, make no haste to lose + 

Thy ignorance of offence! + 

Thou hast the best gift I could choose, + 

A heavenly confidence. + 

’Tis time, long-white-gowned Mrs. Ham, + 

To put you in the ark! + 

Sleep, Elfie, God-infolded lamb, + 

Sleep shining through the dark. + 