Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE FAIRY'S GIFT, by MARGARET ELIZABETH MUNSON SANGSTER Poet's Biography First Line: Over the little one's cradle Last Line: She found the heart of a friend. Alternate Author Name(s): Van Deth, Gerrit, Mrs. Subject(s): Children; Courts & Courtiers; Friendship; Love; Childhood | ||||||||
OVER the little one's cradle The fairies were bending, to see How like to a beautiful fairy A child of the earth could be. "What shall we do for the baby?" Whispered the Elfin queen. "I 'll give her the loveliest dimples," Said one, "that ever were seen." "I 'll kiss," said another softly, "Her feet so slender and small, And ever on beautiful errands Their lightsome steps shall fall." "Mine shall be fairer treasure: I 'll give her, for a spell, A hand like pearl, with rosy tips, Like the inner side of a shell; "With a touch as soft as a zephyr's, The flaxen curls between, I'll dower thee royally, little one." Then spoke the Fairy Queen, "The years shall bring thee changes, But ever, in storm or shine, The power of winning hearts, dear, And holding them fast, be thine." A rustle as light as a rose-leaf's, That drops from a rose o'erblown, And the silken wings of the fairies From cradle and babe were flown. She grew into grace and beauty; And the bright years, one by one, Brought that to the soul of the maiden Which the peach wins from the sun. She left her youth behind her, And the dead leaves round her fell, The snow came down, and the winter wind, With many a moaning swell; But she kept the gift of the Fairy The beautiful giftto the end; And whenever her heart touched another She found the heart of a friend. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE THREE CHILDREN by JOSEPHINE JACOBSEN CHILDREN SELECTING BOOKS IN A LIBRARY by RANDALL JARRELL COME TO THE STONE ... by RANDALL JARRELL THE LOST WORLD by RANDALL JARRELL A SICK CHILD by RANDALL JARRELL CONTINENT'S END by ROBINSON JEFFERS ON THE DEATH OF FRIENDS IN CHILDHOOD by DONALD JUSTICE THE POET AT SEVEN by DONALD JUSTICE ARE THE CHILDREN AT HOME? by MARGARET ELIZABETH MUNSON SANGSTER |
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