To your little rose-shell ear
Hold the tender flowers near.
Listen, then, and they will tell
How they live in fairy dell:
They will kiss your gentle hand,
And tell you tales of Flower-land!
[Illustration: Illustration of a winged figure in a gold robe lounging
on a high grassy cliff beneath a flowering tree, looking out over a sea
of clouds under a crescent moon.]
[Illustration: Illustrated story header banner for 'The Moss Rose'
featuring a black and white sketch of a rose and thorny leaves.]