For the Mower and his Lady now draw nigh!” Then to places all were hurried; Some were late, and so were flurried, But the Marshal set them right! Marshal Spider!— Splendid Rider!— Mounted on a Magpie proud;— Set to order, Quelled disorder, Closed the lines and kept the crowd! For the stakes, to which the roses In the Summer-time were tied; With their sharp and pointed noses Stood the carriage drive beside! Each was held by some tall froggy, Who upon a Falcon black, Seemed to wish that it were foggy So that he might cool his back! But to duty they were bound, And not e’en so sweet a sound As the lapping of the wavelets on the lake. Could have caused them to forsake, The especial posts to which they were assigned. Theirs the task to guard the Drive, So that each one to arrive, Might not stray beyond the line Of the driveway’s broad incline; But would join with all the rest. Into proper order pressed, In the way the marshal had designed! When at length, in silence standing, In a voice of power commanding Spake the Marshal to the rapt, expectant throng: “Let each gallant pair be ready, To advance in order, steady, When the Mower and his Lady move along; For the Mower is our King, And behind him we will bring To Her Majesty the Moon and to her Court, Such a wealth of garden lore As may never, never, more Be attempted or projected e’en in thought!” Scarcely had the Marshal ended Ere the Mower’s train extended, Fell into its place and moved towards the Lawn! First, of course, the Heralds Royal, Clothed in all the colours loyal: Gaudy Butterflies, with banner-wings outspread. Next the soldier-ants, so sprightly, Stepping gaily, straightly, lightly, With what seemed a most determined martial tread! Followed on the King’s retainers: Busy bees in brown and gold; Then the bravos and maintainers; Hardy beetles, brave and bold. After these the Knights and Consuls With their Ladies fair and fine: All the birds that seek the garden When the golden wattles shine! In their midst the Mower stately, King of all the garden race,— And his Queen the Water-sprinkler, Tall and slender, full of grace, But as shy and quickly startled as a fawn! Thus, in order, as directed,— None were otherwise detected, On they moved to meet the queen! On the spacious, trim, and flower-surrounded Lawn! And not least among the party Were the Mower’s henchmen hearty: All the tools, Which he rules With a blade both swift and keen! Rake and Hoe and Pick and Shovel; Fork and Spade and Knife and Can; Hammer, Saw, and Sieve and Level; Nails and Screws all spick and span; Seccateurs and Shears and Spanner; Nuts and Bolts and Augers fine;