"Human thought is like a monstrous pendulum: it keeps swinging from one extreme to the other. Within the compass of five generations we find the Puritan first an uncompromising believer in demonology and magic, and then a scoffer at everything involving the play of fancy."
Eugene Field Sr. was an American writer, best known for his children's poetry and humorous essays. He was known as the "poet of childhood".
"The gingham dog and the calico cat Side by side on the table sat; T was half-past twelve, and (what do you think!) Nor one nor t other had slept a wink! The old Dutch clock and the Chinese plate Appeared to know as sure as fate There was going to be a terrible spat."
"Father calls me William, sister calls me Will, Mother calls me Willie, but the fellers call me Bill! Mighty glad I aint a girl—ruther be a boy, Without them sashes, curls, an things that s worn by Fauntleroy! Love to chawnk green apples an go swimmin in the lake— Hate to take the castor-ile they give for bellyache! Most all the time, the whole year round, there aint no flies on me, But jest fore Christmas Im as good as I kin be!"
"The little toy dog is covered with dust, But sturdy and stanch he stands; And the little toy soldier is red with rust, And his musket moulds in his hands. Time was when the little toy dog was new, And the soldier was passing fair; And that was the time when our Little Boy Blue Kissed them and put them there."
"Wynken, Blynken, and Nod one night Sailed off in a wooden shoe— Sailed on a river of crystal light, Into a sea of dew."
"I feel a sort of yearnin nd a chokin in my throat When I think of Red Hoss Mountain nd of Caseys tabble dote!"
"He could whip his weight in wildcats."