The poetical works of John Godfrey Saxe Household Edition : with illustrations |
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THE FAIRY'S GIFTS. |
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 | The poetical works of John Godfrey Saxe |  |
THE FAIRY'S GIFTS.
In a far-away country, some centuries since
(If the story is false, it is certainly pleasant),
Two fairies attended the birth of a Prince,
And, after their custom, each brought him a present.
(If the story is false, it is certainly pleasant),
Two fairies attended the birth of a Prince,
And, after their custom, each brought him a present.
“I bring him,” one whispered, “the eagle's bright vision,
So keen and wide-reaching that even a fly
The monarch may mark with the sharpest precision,
However remote, at a glance of his eye.”
So keen and wide-reaching that even a fly
The monarch may mark with the sharpest precision,
However remote, at a glance of his eye.”
“An excellent gift for a sovereign, no doubt,”
The other responds, “is a good pair of eyes:
But an eagle would scorn to be peering about,
With intent to remark the behavior of flies!
The other responds, “is a good pair of eyes:
But an eagle would scorn to be peering about,
With intent to remark the behavior of flies!
“And so to your present I beg to unite
A gift of my choosing,—well suited to kings,
And others no less; to the eagle's keen sight
I add his contempt for all trivial things!”
A gift of my choosing,—well suited to kings,
And others no less; to the eagle's keen sight
I add his contempt for all trivial things!”
“In sooth,” said the first, “I confess that I think
Your cautious restriction exceedingly wise;
How often it happens that merely to wink
Is the properest use we can make of our eyes!”
Your cautious restriction exceedingly wise;
How often it happens that merely to wink
Is the properest use we can make of our eyes!”
| The poetical works of John Godfrey Saxe | |