Page:Collected poems vol 1 de la mare.djvu/116

 NCE. . . once upon a time. . . "
 * Over and over again,

Martha would tell us her stories,
 * In the hazel glen.

Hers were those clear grey eyes
 * You watch, and the story seems

Told by their beautifulness
 * Tranquil as dreams.

She would sit with her two slim hands
 * Clasped round her bended knees;

While we on our elbows lolled,
 * And stared at ease.

Her voice and her narrow chin,
 * Her grave small lovely head,

Seemed half the meaning
 * Of the words she said.

"Once . . . once upon a time . . ."
 * Like a dream you dream in the night,

Fairies and gnomes stole out
 * In the leaf-green light.