Imperious Prima flashes forth
Her edict “to begin it ”—
In gentler tone Secunda hopes
“There will be nonsense in it ! “—
While Tertia interrupts the tale
Not more than once a minute.
Anon, to sudden silence won,
In fancy they pursue
The dream-child moving through a land
In friendly chat with bird or beast—
And half believe it true.
And ever, as the story drained
The wells of fancy dry,
And faintly strove that weary one
“The rest next time—”’ “It zs next time!”