James Whitcomb Riley Poems

Illileo, the moonlight seemed lost across the vales--
The stars but strewed the azure as an armor's scattered scales;
...

It is my dream to have you here with me,
Out of the heated city's dust and din--
Here where the colts have room to gambol in,
...

When two little boys--renowned but for noise--
Hik-tee-dik! Billy and Buddy!--
...

Out of the hitherwhere into the Yon--
The land that the Lord's love rests upon;
Where one may rely on the friends he meets,
...

What is it in old fiddle-chunes 'at makes me ketch my breath
And ripples up my backbone tel I'm tickled most to death?--
...

Iry an' Billy an' Jo!--
Iry an' Billy's _the boys_,
An' _Jo's_ their _dog_, you know,--
Their pictures took all in a row.
...

'When it's _got_ to be,'--like! always say,
As I notice the years whiz past,
And know each day is a yesterday,
When we size it up, at last,--
...

Herein are blown from out the South
Songs blithe as those of Pan's pursed mouth
...

'He is my friend,' I said,--
'Be patient!' Overhead
The skies were drear and dim;
And lo! the thought of him
...

Ah, friend of mine, how goes it,
Since you've taken you a mate?--
Your smile, though, plainly shows it
Is a very happy state!
...