Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, TO AN ELF ON A BUTTERCUP, by PHOEBE CARY


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

TO AN ELF ON A BUTTERCUP, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Cunning little fairy
Last Line: Or whether I am you!
Subject(s): Elves


CUNNING little fairy,
Where the breezes blow,
Rocking in a buttercup,
Lightly to and fro;
Little folks for nothing
Look not so demure;
You are planning mischief,
I am very sure!

You will soon be dancing
Down beside the spring;
On the velvet meadow,
In a fairy ring;
Spoiling where the ewes feed
All the tender grass;
And making charmed circles,
Mortals dare not pass.

Darkening light where lovers
Modest sit apart,
You will kiss the maiden,
With your wicked art;
Make her think her wooer
Woefully to blame;
Through her frowns and blushes
Crying out, "For shame!"

Ah! my little fairy,
With your mystic charms,
You have slipped the infant
From its mother's arms;
And have left a changeling
In its place at night;
While you turned the mortal
To a tricksy sprite.

Thus you mix folks up so,
Wicked, willful elf;
Never one of us can know
If he be himself:
And sitting here and telling
Of the tricks you do;
I wonder whether I am I,
Or whether I am you!





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net