The Mountebanks

Over our heads the branches made
A canopy of woven shade.

The birds about this beechen tent
Like deft attendants came and went.

A shy wood-robin, fluting low,
Furnished the music for the show.

The cricket and the grasshopper
A portion of the audience were.

Thither did Fancy leap to fling
Light summersaults around the ring.

Wit, the sly jester of the Town,
And rustic Humor played the clown;

Reason was ringmaster, and waved
His whip when these his anger braved;

Wishes were horses that each rode
Unto his heart's desire's abode.

There Laughter and Delight and Glee
Performed their parts that all might see,

Till a sweet wind across the clover
Whispered, "At last, the show is over,"

And the broad shadow of a cloud
Moved from us like a moving crowd.