FAIRY FIREFLY.
CHILD.
O Firefly! I have caught you fast:
Don't flutter in a rage;
But shine for me a little while
Here in this dainty cage.
Why are you wandering so late,
With your small lamp alight,
When bird and bee and butterfly
Are sleeping through the night?
Come, tell to me a fairy tale;
Amuse me while you stay;
And, when it's time to go to bed,
You shall safely fly away.
FIREFLY.
I'll tell my own sad story, child,
Here shining in your net;
And, though I fly away so soon,
I pray you, don't forget—
I was a lovely fairy once,
Blithe as an early lark;
And in my little bosom shone
A beautiful, bright spark:
That was my elfin spirit, dear;
And, while I lived aright,
It was to me a guiding star,
To lead me to the light.
