No Baby in the House

No baby in the house, I know,   ’T is far too nice and clean. No toys, by careless fingers strewn,   Upon the floors are seen. No finger-marks are on the panes,   No scratches on the chairs; No wooden men set up in rows,   Or marshalled off in pairs; No little stockings to be darned,   All ragged at the toes; No pile of mending to be done,   Made up of baby-clothes; No little troubles to be soothed;   No little hands to fold; No grimy fingers to be washed;   No stories to be told; No tender kisses to be given;   No nicknames, “Dove” and “Mouse;” No merry frolics after tea,—   No baby in the house!