There are many things that boys may know-- br Why this and that are thus and so,-- br Who made the world in the dark and lit br The great sun up to lighten it: br Boys know new things every day-- br When they study, or when they play,-- br When they idle, or sow and reap-- br But no boy knows when he goes to sleep. br br Boys who listen--or should, at least,-- br May know that the round old earth rolls East;-- br And know that the ice and the snow and the rain-- br Ever repeating their parts again-- br Are all just water the sunbeams first br Sip from the earth in their endless thirst, br And pour again till the low streams leap.-- br But no boy knows when he goes to sleep. br br A boy may know what a long glad while br It has been to him since the dawn's first smile, br When forth he fared in the realm divine br Of brook-laced woodland and spun-sunshine;-- br He may know each call of his truant mates, br And the paths they went,--and the pasture-gates br Of the 'cross-lots home through the dusk so deep.-- br But no boy knows when he goes to sleep. br br O I have followed me, o'er and o'er, br From the flagrant drowse on the parlor-floor, br To the pleading voice of the mother when br I even doubted I heard it then-- br To the sense of a kiss, and a moonlit room, br And dewy odors of locust-bloom-- br A sweet white cot--and a cricket's cheep.-- br But no boy knows when he goes to sleep.