Christina Georgina Rossetti

Goblin Market, The Prince's Progress, and Other Poems Christina Georgina Rossetti

Book Excerpt: ... With the first snow-fall of crisp Winter time. Till Laura dwindling 320 Seemed knocking at Death's door: Then Lizzie weighed no moreBetter and worse; But put a silver penny in her purse, Kissed Laura, crossed the heath with clumps of furzeAt twilight, halted by the brook: And for the first time in her lifeBegan to listen and look. Laughed every goblinWhen they spied her peeping: 330 Came towards her hobbling, Flying, running, leaping, Puffing and blowing, Chuckling, clapping, crowing, Clucking and gobbling, Mopping and mowing, Full of airs and graces, Pulling wry faces, Demure grimaces, Cat-like and rat-like, 340 Ratel- and wombat-like, Snail-paced in a hurry, Parrot-voiced and whistler, Helter skelter, hurry skurry, Chattering like magpies, Fluttering