Then came the merry birds , making the wood alive with their gay voices , calling to one another , as they flew among the vines , building their little homes . Long waited the Elves , and at last she came with Father Brown-Breast . Happy days passed ; and summer flowers were in their fullest beauty , when Bud bade the Fairies come with her . Mounted on bright-winged butterflies , they flew over forest and meadow , till with joyful eyes they saw the flower-crowned walls of Fairy-Land . Before the gates they stood , and soon troops of loving Elves came forth to meet them . And on through the sunny gardens they went , into the Lily Hall , where , among the golden stamens of a graceful flower , sat the Queen ; while on the broad , green leaves around it stood the brighteyed little maids of honor . Then , amid the deep silence , little Bud , leading the Fairies to the throne , said , -- `` Dear Queen , I here bring back your subjects , wiser for their sorrow , better for their hard trial ; and now might any Queen be proud of them , and bow to learn from them that giving joy and peace to others brings it fourfold to us , bearing a double happiness in the blessings to those we help . Through the dreary months , when they might have dwelt among fair Southern flowers , beneath a smiling sky , they toiled in the dark and silent earth , filling the hearts of the gentle Flower Spirits with grateful love , seeking no reward but the knowledge of their own good deeds , and the joy they always bring . This they have done unmurmuringly and alone ; and now , far and wide , flower blessings fall upon them , and the summer winds bear the glad tidings unto those who droop in sorrow , and new joy and strength it brings , as they look longingly for the friends whose gentle care hath brought such happiness to their fair kindred . `` 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 XXXXX 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 .
Are bearing bowed building come dwelt folded learn offer went