Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


A MASQUE OF THE SEASONS by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY

Poet Analysis

First Line: SUMMER OR WINTER OR SPRING OR FALL
Last Line: THAT'S THE REASON I SEND THEM ALL!
Subject(s): FAIRIES; PLAYS & PLAYWRIGHTS; SEASONS; ELVES;

SCENE. -- @3A 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 eery, sharp, imperious ejaculations, addressing the
bespelled auditors, who neither see nor hear her nor suspect her presence.@1

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 @3each@1 a favorite, it appears, --
Summer and Winter and Spring and Fall.
That's the reason I send them @3all!@1



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