| Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900. |
| |
| 594. Little Guinever |
| | | By Annie Fields |
| | | | | | “When Queen Guinever of Britain was a little wench.” |
| LOVE’S LABOUR ’S LOST |
|
| |
| |
| SWIFT across the palace floor | |
| Flashed her tiny wilful feet; | |
| “Playfellow, I will no more, | |
| Now I must my task complete.” | |
| |
| Arthur kissed her childish hand, | 5 |
| Sighed to think her task severe, | |
| Walked forth in the garden land, | |
| Lonely till she reappear. | |
| |
| She has sought her latticed room, | |
| Overlooking faery seas, | 10 |
| Called Launcelot from a bowery gloom | |
| To feast of milk and honey of bees. | |
| |
| “Had we bid Prince Arthur too, | |
| He had shaken his grave head, | |
| Saying, ‘My holidays are few!’— | 15 |
| May queens not have their will?” she said | |
| |
| Thus she passed the merry day, | |
| Thus her women spake and smiled: | |
| “All we see we need not say, | |
| For Guinever is but a child.” | 20 |
| |
|
|
|
