Fairy Tale -

Child of the pure unclouded brow

And dreaming eyes of wonder!

Though time be fleet, and I and thou

Are half a life asunder

Thy loving smile will surely hail

The love-gift of a fairy-tale.

(x2)

I have not seen thy sunny face

Nor heard thy silver laughter:

No thought of me shall find a place

In thy young life’s hereafter

Enough that now thou wilt not fail

To listen to my fairy-tale.

(x2)

A tale begun in other days

When summer suns were glowing-

A simple chime, that served to time

The rhythm of our rowing-

Whose echoes live in memory yet

Though envious years would say 'forget.'

(x2)

Come, hearken then, ere voice of dread

With bitter tidings laden

Shall summon to unwelcome bed

A melancholy maiden!

We are but older children, dear

Who fret to find our bedtime near.

(x2)

Without, the frost, the blinding snow

The storm-wind's moody madness-

Within, the firelight’s ruddy glow

And childhood’s nest of gladness

The magic words shall hold thee fast:

Thou shalt not heed the raving blast.

(x2)

And, though the shadow of a sigh

May tremble through the story

For 'happy summer days' gone by

And vanish’d summer glory-

It shall not touch, with breath of bale

The pleasance, of our fairy-tale.

(x2)

Though time be fleet, and I and thou

Are half a life asunder

Thy loving smile will surely hail

The love-gift of a fairy-tale