<html xmlns:tei="http://www.tei-c.org/ns/1.0"><body><h1 align="" class="head">Prologue to a Children's Play</h1><h1 align="" class="head">Spoken By Fairy</h1><div class="stanza"><p class="line">THE golden deities of legend old</p><p class="line">Have passed away. No more the hero bold</p><p class="line">Holds free discourse with Gods and Goddesses;</p><p class="line">And Nymph and Satyr 'mid the shady trees</p><p class="line">No more do revel in a lonely vale;</p><p class="line">Nor Pan's wild music grace the sylvan tale.</p><p class="line">But yet to-day our authoress has made</p><p class="line">The fairy brood inhabit still the glade.</p><p class="line">The tinkling bells of fairyland do sound</p><p class="line">As from a distance, and the country round</p><p class="line">Is subject still unto their gentle sway.</p><p class="line">My name is Starlight, and in this our play</p><p class="line">I am the fairy Good who helps the Weak</p><p class="line">Against foul-gotten Strength, 'tis I who seek</p><p class="line">To foster Justice and to make the Right</p><p class="line">Triumph o'er Evil in the well-fought fight.</p><p class="line">This is the very essence of the play</p><p class="line">That we present to you, O maidens gay.</p><p class="line">And you, O gallant youths, and last of all</p><p class="line">(And also least) to you, O puppy small.</p></div><p>1909.</p></body></html> · Great War