Classic Poem

Ye little household fairies,
Called anciently the Lares,
Who on my study shelf there,
Though Venus was herself there,
Slept all the summer hours,
Beneath your little bowers
Of glassy-watered flowers;—
Your busy time is come now;
So take care, all and some now;
And keep my hearth in order
Through every nook and border;
And let the fire burn brightly
And solidly yet lightly,
With just a little clinking,
To soothe me while I'm thinking;
And fit for glorious poking,
In case a friend should look in
So may your shelf afford ye
Fit place to bed and board ye,
With never dust or smoking
(That acrimonious choking!)
But evergreens and berries,
And all the best which there is
Among the winter flowers
To serve ye still for bowers:
And sticks of odorous wood to
Send up your Godship's food too;
And some divine antique too,
Which ye may whisper Greek to;
And then a sea-shell glistening,
With music for your listening;
And chimney-mounting vapours
With all their coils and capers,
Such as are fit for chasing,
When ye would go a racing.