You see the fairies dancing in the fountain, <br />Laughing, leaping, sparkling with the spray; <br />You see the gnomes, at work beneath the mountain, <br />Make gold and silver and diamonds every day; <br />You see the angels, sliding down the moonbeams, <br />Bring white dreams like sheaves of lilies fair; <br />You see the imps, scarce seen against the moonbeams, <br />Rise from the bonfire's blue and liquid air. <br /> <br />All the enchantment, all the magic there is <br />Hid in trees and blossoms, to you is plain and true. <br />Dewdrops in lupin leaves are jewels for the fairies; <br />Every flower that blows is a miracle for you. <br />Air, earth, water, fire, spread their splendid wares for you. <br />Millions of magics beseech your little looks; <br />Every soul your winged soul meets, loves you and cares for you. <br />Ah! why must we clip those wings and dim those eyes with books? <br /> <br />Soon, soon enough the magic lights grow dimmer, <br />Marsh mists arise to cloud the radiant sky, <br />Dust of hard highways will veil the starry glimmer, <br />Tired hands will lay the folded magic by. <br />Storm winds will blow through those enchanted closes, <br />Fairies be crushed where weed and briar grow strong . . . <br />Leave her her crown of magic stars and roses, <br />Leave her her kingdom--she will not keep it long!<br /><br />Edith Nesbit<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/for-dolly-who-does-not-learn-her-lessons/
