Alice Cary

Good old Mother Fairie,

   Sitting by your fire,

Have you any little fold

   You would like to hire?




I want no chubby drudges

   To milk, and churn, and spin,

Nor old and wrinkled Brownies,

   With grisly beards, and thin;




But patient little people,

   With hands of busy care,

And gentle speech, and loving hearts,

   Now, have you such to spare?