Hi everyone. I happened upon your forum while searching for the origins of a poem I found in some artifacts at the small museum where I work. I was hoping I could get some input from you.
A little background: I have been involved in cataloging our huge backlog of artifacts, and in the process found an original handwritten script for a play. We think the play was written sometime around 1900, and was most likely an amateur work. The donor of the script has no idea who wrote it, or when. It was simply given by him to us in a box of family artifacts that he though might generate some interest... boy was he right! The only clue we have about the author are the initials G.A. The play is titled "A Little Study in Scheming". We are hoping to have the play performed on our museum grounds as a bit of outdoor theatre as a fundraiser, but we would like to find out a little more history on the play if possible.
That leads me to the question of the poem. The poem is contained within the play. The play provides no context as to time period, but we might be able to use the poem to give us some clues. For all we know the poem may be written by the playwrite him/herself. I thought if you folks could read it and give any input that crosses your mind I would be very grateful.
As far as the context of the poem within the play: The poem is being recited by the servant of a fairly well of household. The man of the house was injured when his barn collapsed after being tricked by his daughter who was smitten over a young man. She has since married the young man without her father's blessing, and the father is now lamenting this fact, and that he has since found out the young man is heir to a small fortune (in which case the father would have indeed approved of the match). The servant recites this poem trying to show the father can be redeemed.
Untitiled Poem found in play by G.A.
There was once a rabbit with silver fur
Her little grey neighbors looked up at her
‘Till she thought with pride in the moonlit wood
The reason I’m white is because I’m good
Oh what shal (sic) I do! cried a tiny mole
A fairy has stumbled into a hole
It is full of water and crawly things
And she can’t get out for she’s hurt her wings
I did my best to catch hold of her hair
But my arms are short and she’s still in there
Oh darling white rabbit your arms are long
You say your good and I know you’re strong
Don’t tell me about it! The rabbit said
She shut up her eyes and her ears grew red
There’s lots of mud and it’s sure to stick
Because my fur is so long and thick
There’s plenty of water the wee mole cried
There are shining rivers from moorlands wide
Dews from the sky and the dear grey rain
And the fairy to kiss you clean again
Oh dear! Oh dear! sobbed the poor little mole
Who will help the fairy out of the hole
A common grey rabbit popped from the [--orse] (illegible)
I’m not very strong but I’ll try of course
His little tail bobbed as he waded in
The muddy water came up to his chin
But he caught the fairy tight by the hand
And sent her off safe into fairy land
But she kissed him first on his muddy nose
She kissed his face and his little wet toes
And when the day dawned with the early light
The dirty grey rabbit was shining white
Again, any input is most welcome. Have any of you heard the poem before? Does it strike you as familiar in anyway?
I look forward to reading any responses!