Once Upon a Time and Other Child-Verses. Freeman Mary Eleanor Wilkins

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      TRUSTING to the sweet charity of little folk

      To find some grace, in spite of halting rhyme

      And frequent telling, in these little tales,

      I say again: – Now, once upon a time!

      NOW, once upon a time, a nest of fairies

      Was in a meadow 'neath a wild rose-

      tree;

      And, once upon a time, the violets clustered

      So thick around it one could scarcely see;

      And, once upon a time, a troop of children

      Came dancing by upon the flowery ground;

      And, once upon a time, the nest of fairies,

      With shouts of joy and wonderment they

      found;

      And, once upon a time, the fairies fluttered

      On purple winglets, shimmering in the sun;

      And, once upon a time, the nest forsaking,

      They flew off thro' the violets, every one;

      And, once upon a time, the children followed

      With loud halloos along the meadow green;

      And, once upon a time, the fairies vanished,

      And never more could one of them be seen;

      And, once upon a time, the children sought

      them

      For many a day, but fruitless was their quest,

      For, once upon a time, amid the violets,

      They only found the fairies' empty nest.

      BREW some tea o' cowslips, make some

      poppy-gruel,

      Serve it in a buttercup – ah, 'tis very cruel,

      That she is so ailing, pretty Violetta!

      Locust, stop your violin, till she's feeling better.

      "Ride a cock-horse to Banbury Cross,

      To see an old woman jump on a white horse;

      With rings on her fingers and bells on her toes,

      She shall make music wherever she goes."

      – Old Nursery Rhyme.

      PRAY show the way to Banbury Cross,"

      Silver bells are ringing ;

      "To find the place I'm at a loss,"

      Silver bells are ringing.

      "Pass six tall hollyhocks red and white;

      Then, turn the corner toward the right,

      Pass four white roses; turn once more,

      Go by a bed of gilly-flower,

      And one of primrose; turn again

      Where, glittering with silver rain,

      There is a violet-bank; then pass

      A meadow green with velvet grass,

      Where lovely lights and shadows play,

      And white lambs frolic all the day,

      Where blooming trees their branches toss —

      Then will you come to Banbury Cross."

      The white horse arched his slender neck,

      Silver bells are ringing;

      Snow-white he was without a speck,

      Silver bells are ringing.

      An old wife held his bridle-rein,

      (The king was there with all his train),

      Her gray hair fluttered in the wind,

      Her gaze turned inward on her mind;

      And not one face seemed she to see

      In all that goodly company.

      Gems sparkled on her withered hands;

      Her ankles gleamed with silver bands

      On which sweet silver bells were hung,

      And always, when she stirred, they rung.

      The white horse waited for the start,

      Silver bells are ringing;

      Before him leapt his fiery heart,

      Silver bells are ringing.

      Up on his back the old wife sprung,

      Her silver bells, how sweet

      they rung!

      She gave her milk-white

      steed the rein,

      And round they swept,

      and round again.

      A merry sight it was

      to see,

      And the silver bells

      The Old Wife.

      rang lustily.

      The gallant horse with gold was shod;

      So fleetly leapt he o'er the sod,

      He passed the king before he knew,

      And past his flying shadow flew.

      A pretty sight it was, forsooth,

      Silver bells are ringing;

      For dame and children, maid and youth,

      Silver bells are ringing.

      The princess laughed out with delight,

      And clapped her hands, so lily-white —

      The darling princess, sweet was she

      As any flowering hawthorn-tree.

      She stood beside her sire, the king,

      And heard the silvery music ring,

      And watched the white horse, o'er the

      Sweep round, and round, and round again

      Until the old wife slacked his pace

      Before the princess' wondering face,

      Then snatched her up before they knew,

      Silver bells are ringing;

      And with her from their vision flew,

      Silver bells are ringing.

      The nobles to their saddles spring

      And follow, headed by the king!

      But, when they reach it, it is gone

      The white dew falls, the sun is set,

      And no trace of the princess yet.

      They gallop over meadows green;

      They leap the bars that lie between;

      Thro' the cool woodland ride they now,

      'Neath rustling branches, bending low;

      The silver music draws them

      Along the beams of moonlight pale,

      Silver bells are ringing;

      In violet shadows in the vale,

      Silver bells are ringing.

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