THE FAIRIES SEND MESSENGERS
They sent a stout little red-breast bird;
He sang from the garden wall;
Surely, oh, surely the children heard,
But never they came to his call.
They sent a capering, glad young breeze;
He shouted, he rattled about;
But the children sat with their books on their knees
And gave no heed to his shout.
They sent a bee in a velvet coat,
Busily, busily gay;
He hummed his tale on a spirited note
But the children chased him away.
They sent a brave little fairy sprite;
She peeped round the window frame;
The children looked, and their eyes grew bright,
And they came!