Which Is The Royal Baby?[6]

A cradle of gold has the Czarevitch, With gold-leaf drapery shrouded; Two chairs, with a pillow, my baby’s bed In a tenement chamber crowded; But my pretty one nestles as softly down As the wee little lad that’s born to a crown-- So, which is the royal baby?

In Caucasus linen the Czarevitch goes, And wonderful diamonds hold it; This treasure of mine wears a cotton gown, And ribbons of blue enfold it; But his eyes shine out from a kingly face, And he wears his robe with a sov’reign grace,-- So, which is the royal baby?

Tall Cossacks keep watch o’er the Czarevitch, And sentries are set at his portal; My little one has but a single guard,-- He who keepeth all things mortal; But nobody grudges my baby’s life Like the Russian princeling’s, born to strife,-- So, which is the royal baby?

Three nurses, they say, has the Czarevitch, With degrees from a royal college. Alas, for my sweeting! He has but one, And love is her only knowledge! But the Queen of the Russias may not stay With her prince, like me, for the livelong day,-- So, which is the royal baby?