
Step into a world where day melts into a silver‑gray hush, and the ordinary gives way to the strange and new. The collection opens with gentle verses that celebrate the quiet power of twilight, inviting listeners to let their imaginations drift as the sun’s last light fades. It feels like a soft lullaby for anyone who has ever treasured that in‑between moment.
From there the poems wander beneath the sea, where a young girl finds herself before a court of fish, sturgeon judges, and lobster jurors. The whimsical trial unfolds with playful language and clever wordplay, turning everyday meals into courtroom drama while hinting at deeper questions of guilt and wonder. The narrative stays light, letting the absurdity sparkle without losing its tender heart.
Interlaced with scenes of bustling London riverbanks and quiet abbey rooftops, each piece is paired with delicate illustrations that enhance the lyrical rhythm. Listeners are carried through vivid landscapes—sun‑kissed sands, misty bridges, and feathered swallows—making the whole volume a gentle escape for both children and the child‑at‑heart.
Language
en
Duration
~22 minutes (21K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Original publisher
United States: E. P. Dutton & Company, 1880.
Credits
Charlene Taylor and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.)
Release date
2023-02-02
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1848–1929
A prolific English lyricist and writer, he produced thousands of songs and is still best remembered for words that stayed in popular memory long after his own time. His work ranged from sentimental ballads to one of the best-known songs in the English-speaking world, "Danny Boy."
View all books