Classic Poem

La petite Fee.

Children, there was a Fairy once,
Her name Urgande; in height
Four fingers scarcely, though in worth
A most exalted sprite
She with her wand's most gentle blow
Could perfect happiness bestow:
Ah! good Fairy, pray reveal,
Where your wand you now conceal!

For steeds, eight butterflies she had;
For car, a sapphire shell;
Like a soft Zephyr o'er the earth
She passed — and all was well:
The grapes were ripened, doubly sweet,
And every harvest was complete
Ah! good Fairy, pray reveal,
Where your wand you now conceal!

Godmother to a king, for him
His ministers she chose;
True men, who fearing law, feared not
Their records to disclose:
Far from the fold their crooks would keep
The wolves — but worry not the sheep.
Ah! good Fairy, pray reveal,
Where your wand you now conceal!

This mighty sovereign's judges, then,
Saw through the Fairy's eyes;
They made not Innocence perforce
Hush up her plaintive cries:
Nor then could kneeling Error pray
For mercy — and be spurned away
Ah! good Fairy, pray reveal,
Where your wand you now conceal!

Her touch upon her godson's crown
Its genial blessing shed;
His people, in one social band,
For him had freely bled:
If jealous neighbors came too near,
Back were they sent in wholesome fear.
Ah! good Fairy, pray reveal,
Where your wand you now conceal!

Urgande is in her crystal hall;
Alas! her presence fails!
All in America goes ill;
O'er Asia force prevails
A happier doom is ours, and we
Treated with more regard may be;
Still, good Fairy, still reveal,
Where your wand you now conceal!