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...ECHO AND SILENCE by SAMUEL EGERTON BRYDGES THE EMPEROR'S BIRD'S-NEST by HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW CASSANDRA by EDWIN ARLINGTON ROBINSON EPIGRAM: 18. THE ENEMY OF LIFE by THOMAS WYATT THE MORAL FABLES: THE PROLOG by AESOP |