 | When life is young |  |
92
PUZZLED FAIRY-FOLK
On one sole eve of the bright, long year
There is trouble in Fairy-land;
There is dread, and wonder, and elfin fear
At something they never can understand.
There is trouble in Fairy-land;
There is dread, and wonder, and elfin fear
At something they never can understand.
For “Why?” says the Queen,
And “Why?” say the elves,
And “What does it mean?”
They ask of themselves.
“We 'd like to know why,
On the Fourth of July,
These mortals make such a commotion?
Rattle and flash! Fountains of fire
Play low, play round, play higher and higher;
Now, what it 's about,
This terrible rout,
We have n't the ghost of a notion.”
Poor little fairy-folk, dear little sprites!And “Why?” say the elves,
And “What does it mean?”
They ask of themselves.
“We 'd like to know why,
On the Fourth of July,
These mortals make such a commotion?
Rattle and flash! Fountains of fire
Play low, play round, play higher and higher;
Now, what it 's about,
This terrible rout,
We have n't the ghost of a notion.”
What can you know of wrongs and of rights,
Battles and victories; birth of a nation?
Heed not these jubilant echoes of fights;—
Dance and rejoice in your lightsome creation.
| When life is young | |