`` Are they not worthy of your love , dear Queen ? Have they not won their lovely home ? Say they are pardoned , and you have gained the love of hearts pure as the snow-white robes now folded over them . '' As Bud ceased , she touched the wondering Fairies with her wand , and the dark faded garments fell away ; and beneath , the robes of lily-leaves glittered pure and spotless in the sun-light . Then , while happy tears fell , Queen Dew-Drop placed the bright crowns on the bowed heads of the kneeling Fairies , and laid before them the wands their own good deeds had rendered powerful . They turned to thank little Bud for all her patient love , but she was gone ; and high above , in the clear air , they saw the little form journeying back to the quiet forest . She needed no reward but the joy she had given . The Fairy hearts were pure again , and her work was done ; yet all Fairy-Land had learned a lesson from gentle little Bud . `` Now , little Sunbeam , what have you to tell us ? '' said the Queen , looking down on a bright-eyed Elf , who sat half hidden in the deep moss at her feet . `` I too , like Star-Twinkle , have nothing but a song to offer , '' replied the Fairy ; and then , while the nightingale 's sweet voice mingled with her own , she sang , -- CLOVER-BLOSSOM . IN a quiet , pleasant meadow , Beneath a summer sky , Where green old trees their branches waved , And winds went singing by ; Where a little brook went rippling So musically low , And passing clouds cast shadows On the waving grass below ; Where low , sweet notes of brooding birds Stole out on the fragrant air , And golden sunlight shone undimmed On all most fresh and fair ; -- There bloomed a lovely sisterhood Of happy little flowers , Together in this pleasant home , Through quiet summer hours . No rude hand came to gather them , No chilling winds to blight ; Warm sunbeams smiled on them by day , And soft dews fell at night . So here , along the brook-side , Beneath the green old trees , The flowers dwelt among their friends , The sunbeams and the breeze . One morning , as the flowers awoke , Fragrant , and fresh , and fair , A little worm came creeping by , And begged a shelter there . `` Ah ! pity and love me , '' sighed the worm , `` I am lonely , poor , and weak ; A little spot for a resting-place , Dear flowers , is all I seek . I am not fair , and have dwelt unloved By butterfly , bird , and bee . They little knew that in this dark form Lay the beauty they yet may see . Then let me lie in the deep green moss , And weave my little tomb , And sleep my long , unbroken sleep Till Spring 's first flowers come .
Then will I XXXXX in a fairer dress , And your gentle care repay By the grateful love of the humble worm ; Kind flowers , O let me stay ! ''
come dwelt fell kneeling knew laid offer said sighed won