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On such a night, or such a night,
Would anybody care
If such a little figure
Slipped quiet from its chair-

So quiet-Oh how quiet,
That nobody might know
But that the little figure
Rocked softer-to and fro-

On such a dawn, or such a dawn-
Would anybody sigh
That such a little figure
Too sound asleep did lie

For Chanticleer to wake it-
Or stirring house below-
Or giddy bird in orchard-
Or early task to do?

There was a little figure plump
For every little knoll-
Busy needles, and spools of thread-
And trudging feet from school-

Playmates, and holidays, and nuts-
And visions vast and small-
Strange that the feet so precious charged
Should reach so small a goal!