Classic Poem

The gray robe trailing round her feet,
She smiled and took the slippered stirrup
(A smile as sparkling, rosy, sweet,
As soda, drawn with strawberry syrup); —
Now, gallant, now! be strong and calm, —
The graceful toilet is completed, —
Her foot is in thy hollowed palm —
One little spring, and she is seated!

No foot-print on the grass was seen,
The clover hardly bent beneath her,
I knew not if she pressed the green,
Or floated over it in ether;
Why, such an airy, fairy thing
Should carry ballast in her pocket, —
God bless me! If I help her spring
She'll shoot up heavenward like a rocket.

Ah, fatal doubt! The sleepless power
That chains the orbs of light together,
Bends on its stem the slenderest flower
That lifts its plume from turf or heather;
Clasp, lady, clasp the bridle rein!
The filly stands — holds hard upon her!
Twine fast those fingers in her mane,
Or all is lost — excepting honor!

Earth stretched his arms to snatch his prize,
The fairies shouted " Stand from under! "
The violets shut their purple eyes,
The naked daisies stared in wonder:
One moment. — Seated in her pride,
Those arms shall try in vain to win her;
" Earth claims her not, " the fairies cried,
" She has so little of it in her! "