Page:The Book of Gems.pdf/5

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Winning it with eager eyes, From the old enchanted stories, Lingering with a long delight, On the unforgotten glories Of the infant sight? Giving us a sweet surprise In Red Riding Hood, the darling,— The flower of fairy lore?

Too long in the meadow staying, Where the cowslip bends, With the buttercups delaying As with early friends, Did the little maiden stay. Sorrowful the tale for us, We, too, loiter mid life's flowers, A little while so glorious, So soon lost in darker hours. All love lingering on their way, Like Red Riding Hood, the darling,— The flower of fairy lore.