GARDEN FAIRIES. 



Keen was the air, the sky was very light, 



Soft with shed snow my garden was, and white, 



And walking there, I heard upon the night 



Sudden sounds of little voices. 



Just the prettiest of noises. 



It was the strangest, subtlest, sweetest sound — 

 It seemed above me, seemed upon the ground ; 

 Then swiftly seemed to eddy round and round, 



Till I said, " To-night the air is 



Surely full of garden fairies." 



And all at once it seemed I grew aware 

 That little shining presences were there. 

 White shapes and red shapes danced upon the air ; 

 Then a peal of silver laughter, 

 And such singing followed after 



As none of you, I think, have ever heard. 

 More soft it was than note of any bird, 

 Note after note, most exquisitely deferred, 



Soft as dew-drops when they settle 



In a fair flower's open petal. 



