"Once...Once upon a time..." br Over and over again, br Martha would tell us her stories, br In the hazel glen. br br Hers were those clear gray eyes br You watch, and the story seems br Told by their beautifulness br Tranquil as dreams. br br She'd sit with her two slim hands br Clasped round her bended knees; br While we on our elbows lolled, br And stared at ease. br br Her voice and her narrow chin, br Her grave small lovely head, br Seemed half the meaning br Of the words she said. br br "Once...Once upon a time..." br Like a dream you dream in the night, br Fairies and gnomes stole out br In the leaf-green light. br br And her beauty far away br Would fade, as her voice ran on, br Till hazel and summer sun br And all were gone:-- br br All fordone and forgot; br And like clouds in the height of the sky, br Our hearts stood still in the hush br Of an age gone by.