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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


AN IMPROMPUT FAIRY-TALE by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY

Poet Analysis

First Line: WUNST UPON A TIME WUNST
Last Line: "GUESS I'LL MARRY YOU!"
Subject(s): COURTS & COURTIERS; FAIRY TALES; MARRIAGE; WEDDINGS; HUSBANDS; WIVES;

@3When I wuz ist a little bit o' weenty-teenty kid
I maked up a Fairy-tale, all by myse'f, I did:@1 --

I

WUNST upon a time wunst
They wuz a Fairy King,
An' ever'thing he have wuz @3gold@1 --
His clo'es, an' @3ever'@1thing!
An' all the other Fairies
In his goldun Palace-hall
Had to hump an' hustle --
'Cause he was bosst of all!

II

He have a golden trumput,
An' when he blow' on that,
It's a sign he want' his boots,
Er his coat er hat:
They's a sign fer ever'thing, --
An' all the Fairies knowed
Ever' sign, an' come a-hoppin'
When the King blowed!

III

Wunst he blowed an' telled 'em all:
"Saddle up yer bees --
Fireflies is gittin' fat
An' sassy as you please! --
Guess we'll go a-huntin'!"
So they hunt' a little bit,
Till the King blowed "Supper-time,"
Nen they all quit.

IV

Nen they have a Banqut
In the Palace-hall,
An' ist et! an' et! an' et!
Nen they have a @3Ball;@1
An' when the @3Queen@1 o' Fairyland
Come p'omenadin' through,
The King says an' halts her, --
"Guess I'll marry you!"



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