A Masque Of The Seasons

Scene.–_A kitchen.–Group of Children, popping corn.–The Fairy Queen
of the Seasons discovered in the smoke of the corn-popper.–Waving her
wand, and, with eerie, sharp, imperious ejaculations, addressing the
bespelled auditors, who neither see nor hear her nor suspect her
presence._
QUEEN
Summer or Winter or Spring or Fall,–
Which do you like the best of all?
LITTLE JASPER
When I’m dressed warm as warm can be,
And with boots, to go
Through the deepest snow,
Winter-time is the time for me!
QUEEN
Summer or Winter or Spring or Fall,–
Which do you like the best of all?
LITTLE MILDRED
I like blossoms, and birds that sing;
The grass and the dew,
And the sunshine, too,–
So, best of all I like the Spring.
QUEEN
Summer or Winter or Spring or Fall,–
Which do you like the best of all?
LITTLE MANDEVILLE
O little friends, I most rejoice
When I hear the drums
As the Circus comes,–
So Summer-time’s my special choice.
QUEEN
Summer or Winter or Spring or Fall,–
Which do you like the best of all?
LITTLE EDITH
Apples of ruby, and pears of gold,
And grapes of blue
That the bee stings through.–
Fall–it is all that my heart can hold!
QUEEN
Soh! my lovelings and pretty dears,
You’ve _each_ a favorite, it appears,–
Summer and Winter and Spring and Fall.–
That’s the reason I send them _all_!

by James Whitcomb Riley