And that whene’er he walks the skies You follow him with all your eyes From morn till eve--” “Oh, what a shame!” Exclaimed the Sunflower, aflame, “To say such things of me! They _know_ The very opposite is so.
“They know full well that it is _he_-- The _Sun_--who always follows me. _I_ turn away my head until I fear my stalk will break; and still He tags along from morn till night, Starting as soon as it is light, And never takes his eyes off me Until it is too dark to see! They really ought to be ashamed. Soon they’ll be saying I was named For him, when well they know ’t was he Who took the name of Sun from me.”
The Sunflower paused, with anger dumb. The Bee said naught, but murmured, “_H’m!_” ’T was very evident that he Was much impressed--this Bumblebee. He spread his wings at once and flew To tell some other bees he knew, Who, being also much impressed, Said, “_H’m!_” and flew to tell the rest.
And now if you should chance to see, In field or grove, a Bumblebee, And hear him murmur, “_H’m!_” then you Will know what he’s alluding to.
He was a Wizard’s son, She an Enchanter’s daughter; He dabbled in Spells for fun, Her father some magic had taught her.
They loved--but alas! to agree Their parents they could n’t persuade. An Enchanter and Wizard, you see, Were natural rivals in trade-- And the market for magic was poor-- There was scarce enough business for two So what started rivalry pure Into hatred and jealousy grew.
Now the lovers were dreadfully good; But when there was really no hope, After waiting as long as they could, What else could they do but elope? They eloped in a hired coupé; And the youth, with what magic he knew-- Made it go fully five miles a day. (Such wonders can sorcery do!)
Then the maiden her witcheries plied, And enchanted the cabman so much, When they got to the end of their ride Not a cent of his fare would he touch! Now they’re married and live to this day In a nice little tower, alone, For the building of which, by the way, Their parents provided the stone.
Then the parents relented? Oh, no! They pursued with the fury of brutes, But arrived just too late for the show, Through a leak in their seven-league boots; And finding their children were wed, Into such a wild rage they were thrown, They rushed on each other instead And each turned the other to stone.