Once Upon a Time, and Other Child-Verses

by Mary Eleanor Wilkins Freeman

Then cast it, worthless, in the fire!"

A shadow o'er her gown o' green,

A shadow o'er her winsome face,

A shadow o'er her golden hair,

Came softly creeping on apace.

The fairy through the shadow shone,

And struck her little harp o' pearl;

Then vanished in the shadow's heart,

Wi' golden and wi' rosy swirl.

The laddie held the fairy flag,