THE CHILDREN’S DREAM
Fast, fast asleep,—done are their earthly cares;
To realms of dreamland now they go,
Where sprightly elves and long beard goblins gay
Do dance around on light tiptoe.
Anon an elf doth stretch her silvery wand,
Made of the moonbeams bright and fair,
And lo! they ’gin their dreams of beauteous things
As she touches their soft downy hair.
The curtains of Nod are drawn aside,
And there is the fairies’ room,—
Gold tinseled Christmas trees, and dolls and toys,
Bright picture books and flowers in bloom.
Oases of delight! O blissful hours!
O happy, wished-for fairyland,
Where they may live in dreams the whole night long,
And hold communion with the elfish band.
Then to new joys they waken on the morrow,
From realms of dreams to realms of play.
O feasts of joys! Fairies’ fancies charm by night,
And real toys ’rapture them by day.
O to be a laughing child again tonight,—
Forever is the grown folk’s prayer,—
That our dreams be all of pleasures and of joys,
And our waking hours still find them there!