Caroline Anne Southey

The Little Ladybird

Ladybird, ladybird! fly away home!
 The field-mouse has gone to her nest,
The daisies have shut up their sleepy red eyes,
 And the bees and the birds are at rest.

Ladybird, ladybird! fly away home!
 The glow-worm is lighting her lamp,
The dew's falling fast, and your fine speckled wings
 Will flag with the close-clinging damp.

Ladybird, ladybird! fly away home!
 Good luck if you reach it at last!
The owl's come abroad, and the bat's on the roam,
 Sharp set from their Ramazan fast.

Ladybird, ladybird! fly away home!
 The fairy bells tinkle afar!
Make haste or they'll catch you, and harness you fast
 With a cobweb to Oberon's car.

Ladybird, ladybird! fly away home!
 To your house in the old willow-tree,
Where your children so dear have invited the ant
 And a few cozy neighbors to tea.

Ladybird, ladybird! fly away home!
 And if not gobbled up by the way,
Nor yoked by the fairies to Oberon's car,
 You're in luck! and that's all I've to say!