THE BARGAIN.
The stable door was open widei I heard voices, looked inside. Six candle-yellow birds were set In a cage of silver net, Shaking wing, preening feather, Whistling loudly all together. Two most ancient withered fairies Bartered rings against canaries, Haggled with a courteous cunning— Hinting, boasting, teasing, punning, In a half-remembered tongue. - “Too low an offer! ” “Times are bad.” “Too low!” “By far the best you have had.” “ Raise it! ” Then what a song was sung: “Dicky is a pretty lad! Dicky is a pretty lad! ” But diamonds twinkled with light flung By twelve impatient golden wings, The younger merchant took the rings, Closed his bargain with a sigh, And sadly wished his flock “ Good-bye.” Good-bye, good-bye, in fairy speech, With a sugar-peck for each Unsuspecting bright canary. “ Fare you well.”
A sudden airy Gust of midnight slammed the door, Out went the lights: I heard no more. —Robert Graves, in the Spectator.
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/OW19260302.2.237.2
Bibliographic details
Otago Witness, Issue 3755, 2 March 1926, Page 77
Word Count
155THE BARGAIN. Otago Witness, Issue 3755, 2 March 1926, Page 77
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