Eliza Lee Follen

Yes, nonsense is a treasure! I love it from my heart; The only earthly pleasure That never will depart. But, as for stupid reason, That stalking, ten-foot rule, She’s always out of season, A tedious, testy fool. She’s like a walking steeple, With a clock for face and eyes, Still bawling to all people, Time bids us to be wise. While nonsense on the spire A weathercock you’ll find, Than reason soaring higher, And changing with the wind. The clock too oft deceives, Says what it cannot prove; While every one believes The vane that turns above. Reason oft speaks unbidden, And chides us to our face; For which she should be chidden, And taught to know her place. While nonsense smiles and chatters, And says such charming things, Like youthful hope she flatters; And like a syren sings. Her charm’s from fancy borrowed, For she is fancy’s pet; Her name is on her forehead, In rainbow colors set. Then, nonsense let us cherish, Far, far from reason’s light; Lest in her light she perish, And vanish from our sight.

When children play the livelong day, Like birds and butterflies; As free and gay, sport life away, And know not care nor sighs: Then earth and air seem fresh and fair, All peace below, above: Life’s flowers are there, and everywhere Is innocence and love. When children pray with fear all day, A blight must be at hand: Then joys decay, and birds of prey Are hovering o’er the land: When young hearts weep as they go to sleep, Then all the world seems sad: The flesh must creep, and woes are deep When children are not glad.