*28* THE FAIRIES. Up the airy mountain, Trooping all together; And white owl's feather. Down along the rocky shore Some in the reeds Of the black mountain lake, With frogs for their watch-dogs, All night awake. High on the hill-top He is now so old and grey On his stately journeys From Slieveleague to Rosses; Or going up with music On cold starry nights, To sup with the queen Of the gay Northern Lights. They stole little Bridget Between the night and morrow, By the craggy hill-side, As to dig one up in spite, Up the airy mountain, Green jacket, red cap, And white owl's feather. William Allingham. * 29 * LITTLE WHITE LILY. Little white Lily Sat by a stone, Drooping and waiting Till the sun shone. Little white Lily Little white Lily Little white Lily For the wet rain. Little white Lily Heat cannot burn me, My veins are so full." Little white Lily Smells very sweet! Rain at her feet. "Thanks to the sunshine Thanks to the rain!" Little white Lily Is happy again! Geo. MacDonald. * 30 * ROBIN REDBREAST. Good-bye, good-bye to summer! O Robin dear! Robin sings so sweetly In the falling of the year. Bright yellow, red, and orange, But soon they'll turn to ghosts; O Robin dear! And what will this poor Robin do? The fire-side for the cricket, The wheatstack for the mouse, When trembling night-winds whistle And moan all round the house. The frosty ways like iron, The branches plumed with snow, Alas! in winter dead and dark, Robin, Robin Redbreast, O Robin dear! And a crumb of bread for Robin, His little heart to cheer. W. Allingham. 31 * TO THE LADY-BIRD. Lady-bird! lady-bird! fly away home;- Lady-bird! lady-bird! fly away home,- The dew's falling fast, and your fine speckled wings Lady-bird! lady-bird! fly away home,- The owl's come abroad, and the bat's on the roam, Lady-bird! lady-bird! fly away home, The fairy bells tinkle afar! Make haste, or they'll catch you, and harness you Lady-bird! lady-bird! fly away home, To your house in the old willow-tree, Where your children, so dear, have invited the ant Lady-bird! lady-bird! fly away home,- fast Mrs. Southey. |