86
THE FAIRY'S GIFT.
He talked of days when under his own vine
(The fig-tree did not grow in that North land)
He should sit down and drink a baron's wine,
Or climb his feudal stairs, you understand,
With gold to scatter from his gracious hand.
(The fig-tree did not grow in that North land)
He should sit down and drink a baron's wine,
Or climb his feudal stairs, you understand,
With gold to scatter from his gracious hand.
Meanwhile he folded his strong arms and swore
The earth might all run wild, he did not care;
For he had seen, just three times and no more,
Under the moon, around his baby's hair
A coil of gold such as a king might wear
The earth might all run wild, he did not care;
For he had seen, just three times and no more,
Under the moon, around his baby's hair
A coil of gold such as a king might wear
And the young Princess Beautiful (even she,
The one you know!) would certainly come down
From her dim palace, in the time to be,
And kindly offer him her father's crown;
Spite of that aged man's imperial frown.
The one you know!) would certainly come down
From her dim palace, in the time to be,
And kindly offer him her father's crown;
Spite of that aged man's imperial frown.
So year by year, as blacker grew the bread,
The growing boy seemed stronger, I confess;
Though with what fare the gentle child was fed
The wisest of the people could not guess.
(Did honey-dews drop in that wilderness?)
The growing boy seemed stronger, I confess;
Though with what fare the gentle child was fed
The wisest of the people could not guess.
(Did honey-dews drop in that wilderness?)
