 | [Poems by Drake in] The life and works of Joseph Rodman Drake (1795-1820) |  |
XXIV
A moment stayed the fairy there,
He kissed the beach and breathed a prayer,
Then spread his wings of gilded blue,
And on to the elfin court he flew.
As ever ye saw a bubble rise,
And shine with a thousand blended dyes,
Till lessening, far through ether driven,
It mingles with the hues of heaven.
As, at the glimpse of dawning pale,
The lance-fly spreads his silken sail,
And gleams with blendings soft and bright,
Till lost in the shades of fading night;
So rose from earth the lovely fay,
So vanished, far in heaven away!
He kissed the beach and breathed a prayer,
Then spread his wings of gilded blue,
And on to the elfin court he flew.
As ever ye saw a bubble rise,
And shine with a thousand blended dyes,
Till lessening, far through ether driven,
It mingles with the hues of heaven.
As, at the glimpse of dawning pale,
The lance-fly spreads his silken sail,
And gleams with blendings soft and bright,
Till lost in the shades of fading night;
162
So vanished, far in heaven away!
Up fairy! quit thy chickweed bower,
The cricket has called the second hour,
Twice again, and the lark will rise
To kiss the streakings of the skies;
Up! thy charmed armor don,
Thou wilt need it ere the night be gone.
The cricket has called the second hour,
Twice again, and the lark will rise
To kiss the streakings of the skies;
Up! thy charmed armor don,
Thou wilt need it ere the night be gone.
| [Poems by Drake in] The life and works of Joseph Rodman Drake (1795-1820) | |