Page:The poems of Robert W. Sterling, 1916.djvu/37

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PROLOGUE TO A CHILDREN'S PLAY

SPOKEN BY FAIRY

The golden deities of legend old
Have passed away. No more the hero bold
Holds free discourse with Gods and Goddesses;
And Nymph and Satyr 'mid the shady trees
No more do revel in a lonely vale;
Nor Pan's wild music grace the sylvan tale.
But yet to-day our authoress has made
The fairy brood inhabit still the glade.
The tinkling bells of fairyland do sound
As from a distance, and the country round
Is subject still unto their gentle sway.
My name is Starlight, and in this our play
I am the fairy Good who helps the Weak
Against foul-gotten Strength, 'tis I who seek
To foster Justice and to make the Right

Triumph o'er Evil in the well-fought fight.

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