Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900.

By John BanisterTabb

953 Clover

LITTLE masters, hat in hand

Let me in your presence stand,

Till your silence solve for me

This your threefold mystery.

Tell me—for I long to know—

How, in darkness there below,

Was your fairy fabric spun,

Spread and fashioned, three in one

Did your gossips gold and blue,

Sky and Sunshine, choose for you,

Ere your triple forms were seen,

Suited liveries of green?

Can ye,—if ye dwelt indeed

Captives of a prison seed,—

Like the Genie, once again

Get you back into the grain?

Little masters, may I stand

In your presence, hat in hand,

Waiting till you solve for me

This your threefold mystery?