Rhymes of a Child's World by Miriam Clark Potter - HTML preview

 TO THE LITTLE GIRL NEXT DOOR

Over miles of ocean blue

Straight my ship sails home to you,

For I know you’re sure to wait

In the orchard, by the gate.

When I go to fight the bear

In the woodpile, growling there,

Kind and bravely near you sit

Begging me beware of it.

Once, when in the reeds we hid

Just the way the pirates did,

With your head upon my arm

Safe I guarded you from harm.

Oh, how much a man can dare

When he has a lady fair!

For your soldier I was made

All the times you are afraid.