University of Virginia Library

PAN'S DEW-DROP.

PAN.
Hither, Sylphs and Satyrs, hither!
Here's a secret going to wither:
Stand around and answer true,—
Is't a gem or drop of dew?
Is its birthplace high or low,—
Sky or ocean? Ho—ho—ho!
Ho—ho—ho!
Guess and tell me ere it go!

SYLPHS.
'Tis a tear from Luna's eye;
'Tis a star from some lost sky;
'Tis a fairy pearl—a thing
Fallen from Titania's ring!
'Tis a gem from Cupid's bow.

PAN.
Cupid! Cupid! Ho—ho—ho!
Ho—ho—ho!
Cupid leaves no jewels so.

SYLPHS.
'Tis a spangle from the shoe
Which Queen Mab at Somnus threw;
'Tis a spark of Terra's spar!
Silver stud from Juno's car!
'Tis a rare and tiny shell
Gather'd from some Mermaid's cell!

PAN.
Mermaid! Juno! Ho—ho—ho!
Ho—ho—ho!
'Tis but dew that's frozen so.

SYLPHS.
Who knows what it may conceal?
Atoms can great truths reveal!
Is't a glowworm, fast asleep,
Caught and spell-bound ere't could creep?
Is't an egg some insect knew?

PAN.
Nothing else but frozen dew!
A bud! a berry! Guess who can:—
'Tis frozen dew, or I'm not Pan!

SYLPHS.
Winter ne'er such gem could show:
'Tis pearl!

PAN.
It is not! Ho—ho—ho!
Ho—ho—ho!
Here's a coil 'bout frost and snow!