The Violets cooed, and the Hare-bells rang, And the Jasmine shook with glee; While the birds high in the branches sang, "O may you happy be!"
The Flower-fairies were gathered there, And every plant as well, To attend the wedding of this pair So sweet that no pen can tell. But a cruel wind came sweeping by-- The Lily drooped and died.... Then the Red Rose gave one tearful sigh, And joined his Lily bride.
The Violets wept, and the Hare-bells sobbed, The Myrtle and Jasmine sighed; The birds were hushed as their hearts all throbbed At the death of the Rose's bride.
Before the children had time to grow too sorrowful, there was a fluttering in the air and a rushing among the plants and flowers as the Zankiwank bounded into their presence, cutting so many capers that they were glad they were not to have mutton for dinner, as certainly all the capers would be destroyed.
The Zankiwank was in very high spirits, and gleefully announced that the Court of the Fairies, with the Queen, was coming, as Sally who lived in somebody's alley had just informed him. Then he burst out singing to a tune, which I daresay you all know, the following foolish words:--
Of all the flowers that are so smart, There's none like Daffydilly! She'd be the darling of my heart, But she has grown so silly! There is no wild flower in the land That's half so tame as Daisy; To her I'd give my heart and hand, But fear I'd drive her crazy!
And then there is the Cabbage Rose, Also the China Aster; But Buttercup with yellow nose Would cause jealous disaster. Forget-me-not, O Violet dear! Primrose, you know my passion! For all the plants afar--anear I court in flowery fashion!
"Oh, please be serious!" cried Willie. "_What_ is the matter with you, Mr Zankiwank?"
You will perceive that Willie and Maude were quite at home in their new surroundings, and nothing seemed to surprise them one whit, not even the unexpected which they constantly anticipated.
The Zankiwank only asked permission to send one more telegram to the Bletherwitch, and then he condescended to inform them that Queen Titania was about to pay a visit to the Flowers and the Birds, and sure enough, before he had done speaking, Titania arrived all the way from Athens, with a full train of fairies and elves, accompanied by a fairy band playing fairy music. Robin Goodfellow skipped in advance, while Peaseblossom, Cobweb, Moth, and Mustard-seed attended on the lovely Queen.