You remember the nursery-legend- We heard in the early days, Ere we knew of the world’s deception Or walked in its dusty ways, And dwelt in a land of the fairies Where the air was golden haze—
Of the maid, o’er whom the Summers Of youth passed, like a swell Of melody all unbroken, Till evil wrought its spell, And dream-embroidered curtains Of slumber round her fell.
The wood grew up round her castle, The centuries o’er it rolled, Wrapping its slumb’rous turrets In clinging robes of mould, And her name became a legend By Winter fire-sides told.
Till the Prince came over the mountains, In the morning-glow of youth; The forest sank before him Like wrong before the truth, And he passed the dim old portal, With its warders so uncouth,
Woke with a kiss the Princess, And broke enchantment’s chain, The sleepy old castle wondered, In its cobweb-cumbered brain, At the tide of life and pleasure That poured through each stony vein.
And so love conquered an evil Centuries old in might, Scattering drowsy glamour, Piercing the murky night, Leading from thrall and darkness Beauty, and joy, and light.
Baker, George Augustus. "Sleeping Beauty." Point-Lace and Diamonds [George A. Baker, Jr.]. New York: R. Worthington, 1882.
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