Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, FAIRY FOLK, by ALICE CARY


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

FAIRY FOLK, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: The story-books have told you
Last Line: Of story-books were true.
Subject(s): Fairies; Elves


THE story-books have told you
Of the fairy-folks so nice,
That make them leathern aprons
Of the ears of little mice;
And wear the leaves of roses,
Like a cap upon their heads,
And sleep at night on thistle-down,
Instead of feather beds!

These stories, too, have told you,
No doubt to your surprise,
That the fairies ride in coaches
That are drawn by butterflies;
And come into your chambers,
When you are locked in dreams,
And right across your counterpanes
Make bold to drive their teams;
And that they heap your pillows
With their gifts of rings and pearls;
But do not heed such idle tales,
My little boys and girls.

There are no fairy-folk that ride
About the world at night,
Who give you rings and other things,
To pay for doing right.
But if you do to others what
You'd have them do to you,
You'll be as blest as if the best
Of story-books were true.





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