The Rivet In Grandfather's Neck

“Nightly I mark and praise, or great or small, Such stars as proudly struggle one by one To heaven’s highest place, as Procyon, Antares, Naoes, Tejat and Nibal Attain supremacy, and proudly fall, Still glorious, and glitter, and are gone So very soon;—whilst steadfast and alone Polaris gleams, and is not changed at all.

“Daily I find some gallant dream that ranges The heights of heaven; and as others do, I serve my dream until my dream estranges Its errant bondage, and I note anew That nothing dims, nor shakes, nor mars, nor changes, Fond faith in you and in my love of you.”

In the middle of the cupboard door was the carved figure of a man…. He had goat’s legs, little horns on his head, and a long beard; the children in the room called him, “Major-General-field-sergeant —commander-Billy-goat’s-legs” … He was always looking at the table under the looking-glass where stood a very pretty little shepherdess made of china…. Close by her side stood a little chimney-sweep, as black as coal and also made of china….