A vase upon the mantelpiece,
   A ship upon the sea,
A goat upon a mountain-top
   Are much the same to me;
But when you mention melon jam,
   Or picnics by the creek,
Or apple pies, or pantomimes,
   I love to hear you speak.


The date of Magna Charta or
   The doings of the Dutch,
Or capes, or towns, or verbs, or nouns
   Do not excite me much;
But when you mention motor rides -
   Down by the sea for choice
Or chasing games, or chocolates,
   I love to hear your voice.