Page 125 - Lavender-B-7

Dancing gayly, dancing gayly,

To and fro all together,

Like a family of daisies

Blown about in windy weather;

Nimble fairies, nimble fairies,
Playing pranks in the warm glow,

While I sing the nursery ditties

Childish phantoms love and know.

Now what happens, now what happens?

One small shadow’s tumbled down:

I can see it on the carpet

Softly rubbing its hurt crown.

No one whimpers, no one whimpers;

A brave-hearted sprite is this:

See! the others offer comfort

In a silent, shadowy kiss.

Hush! they’re creeping; hush! they’re creeping,

Up about my rocking-chair:
I can feel their loving fingers

Clasp my neck and touch my hair.

Little shadows, little shadows,

Take me captive, hold me tight,

As they climb and cling and whisper,

“Mother dear, good night! good night!”

—Louisa May Alcott

gayly: happily
nimble: quick and light in motion
ditties: simple songs
phantoms: representations of something abstract
crown: the topmost part of the skull or head
whimper: to make a low whining sound

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