How Baby Goes

How does our baby get over the floor?
Baby is twelve moons old, and more;
Plump and rosy, sturdily goes he, 
Now upon two limbs, now upon four;
Tumbles along from door to door!
Now on his knees, and now on his nose, he,
   Bless the dear heart of him!
      Yes, I can get him up, 
         I can help set him up,
I, with my five good years the start of him!
Shaking his curls, that are just like a girl’s, 
He says, "No, no; I can; I go!" 
And away he starts with a merry crow.

"Never give up!" is the tune that he goes to
"Try again, Baby!" he thinks, when, it may be 
Over he rolls from the standing he rose to, 
Plump on the floor; but just as happy, — 
      A brave little chap, he
Clings to the carpet with fingers and toes too, 
Bound for the place that he first set his nose to!
Jumping, and stumping, and dumping, and bumping, 
Falling, and sprawling, and crawling, — not bawling 
Waddling, and toddling, and staying, and swaying, 
Starting, and darting, and slacking, and backing.