For works with similar titles, see Masqueraders.
MASQUERADERS.
To my garden every day
Little masqueraders gay
Come to while the hours away.
Gauzy, glittering, fragile things,
Jewelled as befitteth kings,
Floating far on purple wings.
Voyagers of earth and air,
Facing life without a care,
Dainty, dashing, debonair.
Gay adventurers at ease,
Sleek and happy as you please,
Drifting idly with the breeze.
Warriors clad in polished mail,
Fierce for battle tooth and nail—
Well the stoutest heart may quail!
Spurs upon the tiny feet,
Cuirass, helmet, all complete—
Saw you ever aught so neat?
Little brothers in disguise,
Peering forth with curious eyes,
Quaintly humble, quaintly wise;
Plumy pennons half unfurled,
Filmy aigrettes lightly curled—
O, this marvellous, magic world!