THE LAND OF COUNTERPANE

hen I was sick and lay a-bed,

I had two pillows at my head,

And all my toys beside me lay

To keep me happy all the day.

And sometimes for an hour or so

I watched my leaden soldiers go,

With different uniforms and drills

Among the bedclothes, through the hills.

And sometimes sent my ships in fleets

All up and down among the sheets

Or brought my trees and houses out,

And planted cities all about.

I was the giant great and still

That sits upon the pillow-hill

And sees before him, dale and plain,

The pleasant Land of Counterpane.

R U M P E L S T I L T Z K I N