Gaston de Blondeville, or The court of Henry III Keeping festival in Ardenne, a romance. St. Alban's Abbey, a metrical tale; With some poetical pieces. By Anne Radcliffe ... To which is prefixed: A memoir of the author, with extracts from her journals. In four volumes |
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 | Gaston de Blondeville, or The court of Henry III |  |
259
EDWY.
A POEM, IN THREE PARTS.
I. PART I. THE HAZEL TREE.
A SUMMER SONG OF FAIRIE.
Lightly green with springing buds,
The hazel twines her fairy bowers,
In yon dell o'erhung with woods,
Where the brook its music pours.
The hazel twines her fairy bowers,
In yon dell o'erhung with woods,
Where the brook its music pours.
O'er the margin of the stream
Peeps the yellow marygold,
And lilies, where the waters gleam,
Bend their heads so fair and cold.
Peeps the yellow marygold,
And lilies, where the waters gleam,
Bend their heads so fair and cold.
260
Know ye why the Elfin-band
Watch beneath the hazel-bough?
'Tis to guard its Magic Wand
And its blossoms, as they blow.
Watch beneath the hazel-bough?
'Tis to guard its Magic Wand
And its blossoms, as they blow.
These, gathered at the mid-day hour,
To mortal eyes their haunts betray;
That has the strange enchanting power
To call up a prophetic Fay.
To mortal eyes their haunts betray;
That has the strange enchanting power
To call up a prophetic Fay.
Be she down among the rills,
In some wild-wood dingle hid;
Or dancing on the moonlight hills—
She must speed, as she is bid.
In some wild-wood dingle hid;
Or dancing on the moonlight hills—
She must speed, as she is bid.
Or sleep she on the mossy bed,
Under the blossom-breathing lime,
That sheds sweet freshness over head—
The freshness of the morning prime;
Under the blossom-breathing lime,
That sheds sweet freshness over head—
The freshness of the morning prime;
Or stray she with old Thames serene
Through osier-tufts and lofty groves,
By royal towers, or cottaged green,
Still must she leave what best she loves—
Through osier-tufts and lofty groves,
261
Still must she leave what best she loves—
Leave the thatched cot, where finest spreads
The turf, 'mid every choicest flower,
And the far-branching chestnut sheds
Over the wave its greenest shower.
The turf, 'mid every choicest flower,
And the far-branching chestnut sheds
Over the wave its greenest shower.
Where, silver-streak'd, that polished wave
Glides by with lingering, sweet farewell,
While stately swans their proud necks lave,
And seem to feel some fairy spell.
Glides by with lingering, sweet farewell,
While stately swans their proud necks lave,
And seem to feel some fairy spell.
Then marvel not that Elfins fair
Guard the thin wand and hazel bloom;
Since these can all their haunts lay bare,
By hidden stream, or forest gloom.
Guard the thin wand and hazel bloom;
Since these can all their haunts lay bare,
By hidden stream, or forest gloom.
—Near Windsor's shades there dwelt a youth,
Who fast was bound in Cupid's chain;
But how to try his lady's truth
By mortal means he sought in vain.
Who fast was bound in Cupid's chain;
262
By mortal means he sought in vain.
He to a chamber dim withdrew,
Where serpent's skin and head of toad
Hinted of themes he must pursue,
Ere secret would to him be showed.
Where serpent's skin and head of toad
Hinted of themes he must pursue,
Ere secret would to him be showed.
It was a chamber magical,
Where light in partial gleams appeared,
And showed strange shapes upon the wall,
By his own mystic learning reared.
Where light in partial gleams appeared,
And showed strange shapes upon the wall,
By his own mystic learning reared.
Thence to the hazel-copse he went,
When the sun was flaming high;
And there the twining branches rent;
For then no Fay was watching nigh.
When the sun was flaming high;
And there the twining branches rent;
For then no Fay was watching nigh.
Fast asleep in closed flowers,
And all unheard, and all unseen,
Who, that walked these noontide bowers,
Could guess that any Elves had been?—
And all unheard, and all unseen,
Who, that walked these noontide bowers,
Could guess that any Elves had been?—
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Next, to the forest-hills he hied,
To pull the wild thyme's budding bloom,
Fresh from some haunted dingle's side;
For, it must blow where Fairies come.
To pull the wild thyme's budding bloom,
Fresh from some haunted dingle's side;
For, it must blow where Fairies come.
Just such a dingle still is seen,
Hanging upon the Park's high brow,
Deep buried in the shadowy green,
Where tall o'erarching beeches grow.
Hanging upon the Park's high brow,
Deep buried in the shadowy green,
Where tall o'erarching beeches grow.
Here oft the Fairies revel keep,
To bless the Castle's moonlight hours,
And peep, as winds these branches sweep,
At Windsor diadem'd with towers.
To bless the Castle's moonlight hours,
And peep, as winds these branches sweep,
At Windsor diadem'd with towers.
Grass, that crowns a Fairie's throne,
Marygolds—her canopy,
Lilies, for her cradle known,
These he gathered, three and three.
Marygolds—her canopy,
Lilies, for her cradle known,
These he gathered, three and three.
Well prepared with hazel-leaves,
Thus the wondrous charm distill,
Which, laid on an eye, that grieves,
Shows each sprite of grove, or rill.
Thus the wondrous charm distill,
264
Shows each sprite of grove, or rill.
“Three hazel-wands peel smooth and white,
Just a twelvemonth old—no more:
Thrice on each wand the full name write
Of the Fay you would implore.
Just a twelvemonth old—no more:
Thrice on each wand the full name write
Of the Fay you would implore.
“Then in earth these wands consign;
In earth, that elfin footsteps tread,
Extract them with well-muttered line,
Unheard of man—by man unread.
In earth, that elfin footsteps tread,
Extract them with well-muttered line,
Unheard of man—by man unread.
“Next, to the North your visage turn,
Invoke her name, with thrice told three,
Be she by forest, mead, or bourne,
Her on your magic glass you'll see.”
Invoke her name, with thrice told three,
Be she by forest, mead, or bourne,
Her on your magic glass you'll see.”
With shaking hand he peeled the wand;
Then would he trace her name, I wot;
Edwy the Love-Fay would command;
But Edwy had her name forgot.
Then would he trace her name, I wot;
Edwy the Love-Fay would command;
But Edwy had her name forgot.
265
Full of great flaws to aught but love
Is the memory of a lover;
Now he must watch where Fairies rove,
Or this name he'll ne'er recover.
Is the memory of a lover;
Now he must watch where Fairies rove,
Or this name he'll ne'er recover.
Back o'er the sunny hills he goes
To his green home in Windsor shades,
To draw the charm, that shall expose
The Elfin-Court, when day-light fades.
To his green home in Windsor shades,
To draw the charm, that shall expose
The Elfin-Court, when day-light fades.
Down by good Clewer's winding mead,
And where the silver currents glide,
A plume of elms lifts high it's head,
And casts it's shadow on the tide.
And where the silver currents glide,
A plume of elms lifts high it's head,
And casts it's shadow on the tide.
All dark and still the feathery grove
Sleeps in the streamy light below;
The streamy light with placid love
And hushing murmur seems to flow.
Sleeps in the streamy light below;
The streamy light with placid love
And hushing murmur seems to flow.
There Elves, 'twas said, in ringlets went,
When chimes sang midnight to the land,
If then, on Windsor's battlement,
Tip-toe the full-orbed Moon should stand.
When chimes sang midnight to the land,
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Tip-toe the full-orbed Moon should stand.
Duly distilled the flowery charm,
Thither Edway must repair,
And, that no check the spell might harm,
Ere the sun-set he was there.
Thither Edway must repair,
And, that no check the spell might harm,
Ere the sun-set he was there.
The golden tints of Evening lie
Upon the smoothly-flowing stream,
Tint the old walls and turrets high,
And lower on the wood-tops gleam.
Upon the smoothly-flowing stream,
Tint the old walls and turrets high,
And lower on the wood-tops gleam.
And, slanting o'er the willowed vale,
The blessed Henry's fane enshrined,
It's fretted windows, turrets pale,
And pinnacles far ranged behind.
The blessed Henry's fane enshrined,
It's fretted windows, turrets pale,
And pinnacles far ranged behind.
And now the soothing hour is come,
The star-light hour, when all is still,
Save the far-distant village hum,
And the lone watch-bark from the hill;
The star-light hour, when all is still,
Save the far-distant village hum,
And the lone watch-bark from the hill;
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And wheels which, far-off travelling,
Pass unseen in bowery lane,
Like to the sea-tide murmuring,
Now loud and lost, then loud again.
Pass unseen in bowery lane,
Like to the sea-tide murmuring,
Now loud and lost, then loud again.
He laid the charm upon his eyes,
And looked with desperate courage round;
Alas! no tripping phantoms rise
On the shadowy, Fairie ground.
And looked with desperate courage round;
Alas! no tripping phantoms rise
On the shadowy, Fairie ground.
Patience is a lover's duty!
Here, counting every distant chime,
He exalts his lady's beauty,
In quaint, or pity-moving rhime.
Here, counting every distant chime,
He exalts his lady's beauty,
In quaint, or pity-moving rhime.
Till, in the East, a shadowy light,
Rising behind the Castle-walls,
Gives the dim turrets to his sight,
And in mute watch his spirit thralls.
Rising behind the Castle-walls,
Gives the dim turrets to his sight,
And in mute watch his spirit thralls.
As slow the unseen Moon ascends,
More darkly drawn the towers appear,
Till every doubtful mass expands,
And lives upon the radiant air;
More darkly drawn the towers appear,
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And lives upon the radiant air;
Then, peers she o'er the broad Keep's height,
A spreading curve of light serene;
And, faithful to her loved Midnight,
There, reigns it's pale and pensive Queen.
A spreading curve of light serene;
And, faithful to her loved Midnight,
There, reigns it's pale and pensive Queen.
And touches, with her silver ray,
Terrace and woody steep below
The river's willow-sheltered bay,
And waters quivering as they flow.
Terrace and woody steep below
The river's willow-sheltered bay,
And waters quivering as they flow.
Where'er th' Enchantress points her wand,
Forth from the deep of darkness crowd
Pale glimmering shapes, and silent stand
As waked from Death's unfolding shroud.
Forth from the deep of darkness crowd
Pale glimmering shapes, and silent stand
As waked from Death's unfolding shroud.
The landscape lived, clear spread the lawn
The groves their shadowy tops unfurled,
And airy hills in prospect dawn,
Like vision of another world.
The groves their shadowy tops unfurled,
And airy hills in prospect dawn,
Like vision of another world.
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The chimes sang midnight; Edwy shook,
While by the grove of elm he stood,
And cast a sly and wistful look
Around the turf and o'er the flood.
While by the grove of elm he stood,
And cast a sly and wistful look
Around the turf and o'er the flood.
That wrinkled flood, all silver bright,
No sail of Fairie pinnace showed,
Nor, 'neath the still elm's bowery night,
A glimpse of elfin-pageant glowed.
No sail of Fairie pinnace showed,
Nor, 'neath the still elm's bowery night,
A glimpse of elfin-pageant glowed.
St. George's chimes, with falter sweet,
Like infants, tried their task to say;
But, waked from midnight's slumber meet,
Th' imperfect accents died away.
Like infants, tried their task to say;
But, waked from midnight's slumber meet,
Th' imperfect accents died away.
And soft they sunk to sleep again,
Ere the slow song was duly closed,
As seeming feebly to complain
Of broken rest, e'en while they dozed.
Ere the slow song was duly closed,
As seeming feebly to complain
Of broken rest, e'en while they dozed.
But Fairies met not Edwy's eye;
For, here, alas! no more they rove;
Some urchins of the College nigh
Had surely scared them from the grove;
For, here, alas! no more they rove;
270
Had surely scared them from the grove;
Such as the forest-keepers here
Have followed, helter-skelter, round
Hills, woods and dales, for tracking deer;
Till fond Thames bore the wights to ground;
Have followed, helter-skelter, round
Hills, woods and dales, for tracking deer;
Till fond Thames bore the wights to ground;
To Eton ground, where, safe from law,
And praising oft the helping tide,
They peeped, well hid in grass, and saw
The foresters on t'other side!
And praising oft the helping tide,
They peeped, well hid in grass, and saw
The foresters on t'other side!
Such as the May-pole
oft has watched
Doff gown and mount the coach on high;
Such as the tavern-dinner snatched,
The bottle drank and ate the pie,
Doff gown and mount the coach on high;
Such as the tavern-dinner snatched,
The bottle drank and ate the pie,
In fifteen minutes and away!
And, if an oxen-herd they met,
Sprung on their horns, in laughing play,
Then gravely joined the school-room set.
And, if an oxen-herd they met,
271
Then gravely joined the school-room set.
Oh! those were happy times, I ween,
The light of Morning o'er the sky—
That touches all the varied scene
With life-full gleams of hope and joy.
The light of Morning o'er the sky—
That touches all the varied scene
With life-full gleams of hope and joy.
The angered fairies, in revenge,
Still, the tale goes, “their tyrants flout;”
Plunge them in scrapes and mischief strange,
Then leave them to a flogging-bout!
Still, the tale goes, “their tyrants flout;”
Plunge them in scrapes and mischief strange,
Then leave them to a flogging-bout!
But oft good Robin proves their friend,
And lays his bandage on the eyes
Of the grave Heads, who mildly blend
Remembrance with severe surmise.
And lays his bandage on the eyes
Of the grave Heads, who mildly blend
Remembrance with severe surmise.
And now, in more removed ground,
Up in the high Park's ancient shade,
On the grey forest's lonely bound,
These fairies dance in secret glade;
Up in the high Park's ancient shade,
On the grey forest's lonely bound,
These fairies dance in secret glade;
272
Where oaks Plantagenet still frown,
Great Edward's tree e'en each appears,
A warlike ruin, gaunt and lone,
The spectre of five hundred years.
Great Edward's tree e'en each appears,
A warlike ruin, gaunt and lone,
The spectre of five hundred years.
Nursed by long centuries gone by,
Reared in the storms, that wrecked their kings,
Oh! could they give the Past a sigh,
And speak the tale of vanished things,
Reared in the storms, that wrecked their kings,
Oh! could they give the Past a sigh,
And speak the tale of vanished things,
The peopled scenes they have beheld,
In long succession, varied guise,
More wonders here had stood revealed,
Than aught, that Fairie dream supplies.
In long succession, varied guise,
More wonders here had stood revealed,
Than aught, that Fairie dream supplies.
Thus Edwy, with a face of rue,
Returned home for future feat;
Thus he, who does adventure woo,
Must sometimes disappointment meet.
Returned home for future feat;
Thus he, who does adventure woo,
Must sometimes disappointment meet.
A Maypole formerly stood on the Green, before the gates of the Long Walk at Windsor, where pranks of this sort have often been played.
273
II. PART II. THE FAIRIE COURT.
A SUMMER'S NIGHT IN WINDSOR PARK.
Edwy, in his lonely chamber,
Plying still his magic lore,
Watched, when all was hushed in slumber,
The dead planetary hour.
Plying still his magic lore,
Watched, when all was hushed in slumber,
The dead planetary hour.
Two crystal planes, three inches square,
Steeped in the blood of milk-white fowl,
With careful skill he did prepare,
'Gainst next should hoot the midnight owl.
Steeped in the blood of milk-white fowl,
With careful skill he did prepare,
'Gainst next should hoot the midnight owl.
One would reveal the summoned Fay,
Who, by her-divining art
Should on the second plane display
Scenes to grieve, or cheer, his heart.
Who, by her-divining art
Should on the second plane display
Scenes to grieve, or cheer, his heart.
274
Thus endowed to conjure fairie,
He would fain have conjured sleep,
But the god of lovers, wary,
Hovers not o'er eyes that weep.
He would fain have conjured sleep,
But the god of lovers, wary,
Hovers not o'er eyes that weep.
Sad and restless all the morning,
Sad and restless all the noon,
Counting every chime of warning
Through the longest day of June:
Sad and restless all the noon,
Counting every chime of warning
Through the longest day of June:
Thus he lingered, thus he wandered,
Round about his lady's hall,
Till his hopes were nearly foundered—
Till a rival spoke his fall.
Round about his lady's hall,
Till his hopes were nearly foundered—
Till a rival spoke his fall.
In an oriel he saw her,
Chatting, smiling, blooming gay;
Doating, maddening, he bewailed her,
Doubting his first doubts this day.
Chatting, smiling, blooming gay;
Doating, maddening, he bewailed her,
Doubting his first doubts this day.
Breathing lilacs after showers,
Bending with the silver drops,
Greenest leaves and purple flowers,
Waving where the goldfinch hops,
Bending with the silver drops,
275
Waving where the goldfinch hops,
And scattering round the scented dew,
And sparkling on the sunny air,
Not half so fresh as Aura glow,
Not half so graceful—half so fair.
And sparkling on the sunny air,
Not half so fresh as Aura glow,
Not half so graceful—half so fair.
Too soon she vanished from his eyes,
And Evening summoned him afar,
Then to the high-browed Park he hies;
There, must he meet the twilight-star.
And Evening summoned him afar,
Then to the high-browed Park he hies;
There, must he meet the twilight-star.
With magic mirrors, hazel wand,
Eyelids touched with clearing spell,
He sought the Court of fairie land,
Hidden in their distant dell.
Eyelids touched with clearing spell,
He sought the Court of fairie land,
Hidden in their distant dell.
Through the shaded walks so wide,
That climb about the southern hill,
Edwy passed with rapid stride.
Nor saw one Elf—though all was still.
That climb about the southern hill,
Edwy passed with rapid stride.
Nor saw one Elf—though all was still.
276
With toil he gained the airy brow,
And, panting, paused to breathe awhile,
And throw a lingering look below
O'er the still landscape's parting smile.
And, panting, paused to breathe awhile,
And throw a lingering look below
O'er the still landscape's parting smile.
Crowning the long vista's shade,
O'ertopped with turrets, terraced high,
Windsor all its pomp displayed,
Beneath the glowing western sky.
O'ertopped with turrets, terraced high,
Windsor all its pomp displayed,
Beneath the glowing western sky.
Beyond, the low, blue hills repose,
Along the far horizon's bound.
How soft the hues the forest throws,
Its leafy darkness shedding round!
Along the far horizon's bound.
How soft the hues the forest throws,
Its leafy darkness shedding round!
Those hills their stretching woods display
In faint shade, through the azure veil,
While, sweetly bright, the setting ray
Bids many a spire once more—farewell.
In faint shade, through the azure veil,
While, sweetly bright, the setting ray
Bids many a spire once more—farewell.
And farewell to the banner proud,
That o'er the broad Keep floats on air,
Proclaiming, as with trumpet loud,
It's royal lord reposes there.
That o'er the broad Keep floats on air,
277
It's royal lord reposes there.
Pale and more pale the scene retires,
And Windsor's state has vanished now,
Save one dim tower, that boldly spires
To meet the star on twilight's brow.
And Windsor's state has vanished now,
Save one dim tower, that boldly spires
To meet the star on twilight's brow.
There stood he tranced, till, in the air,
Warbled music passed along;
So softly sweet, so finely clear!
This was sure a Fairie song.
Warbled music passed along;
So softly sweet, so finely clear!
This was sure a Fairie song.
For, now no woodlark waked to sing;
Every little eye was closed;
On slender foot, with drooping wing,
In it's home each bird reposed.
Every little eye was closed;
On slender foot, with drooping wing,
In it's home each bird reposed.
Save one, and, where he winged his way,
Pleased, Edwy heard his strain advance,
On his smooth neck a Fairie lay,
Or rather did a Fairie dance.
Pleased, Edwy heard his strain advance,
On his smooth neck a Fairie lay,
Or rather did a Fairie dance.
278
A veil of gossamer she wore,
All spangled round with primrose dew;
A star-beam for a wand she bore,
Which she from Venus slyly drew.
All spangled round with primrose dew;
A star-beam for a wand she bore,
Which she from Venus slyly drew.
This little bird on circling pinions
Wantoned over Edwy's head,
Then to its shady, loved dominions,
With its Fairie Lady sped.
Wantoned over Edwy's head,
Then to its shady, loved dominions,
With its Fairie Lady sped.
The while his Fairie Lady trills
“To the beech-woods follow me,
Up the lawns and o'er the hills,
To the high woods follow me.”
“To the beech-woods follow me,
Up the lawns and o'er the hills,
To the high woods follow me.”
In tiny echoes “Follow me”
All the hills and glades prolong;
From every bush and hollow tree
Seemed to rise the choral song.
All the hills and glades prolong;
From every bush and hollow tree
Seemed to rise the choral song.
And Edwy, round each hollow tree,
Spied the motley Elves at play;
While, thick as emmets, “Follow me,”
They sang again, and passed away.
Spied the motley Elves at play;
279
They sang again, and passed away.
O'er greenest lawns, through proudest groves,
He pursued his feathered guide,
O'er scenes, that silent Moonlight loves,
To the long lake's mossy side.
He pursued his feathered guide,
O'er scenes, that silent Moonlight loves,
To the long lake's mossy side.
The little bird flew o'er the lake;
Edwy round the turf-banks went,
Close where the silver currents break,
And lower oaks their branches bent.
Edwy round the turf-banks went,
Close where the silver currents break,
And lower oaks their branches bent.
The stream is there with rocks inlaid;
He tripped o'er these, and reached the road,
That, broad and turfy 'neath the shade,
Leads to the pleasantest abode.
He tripped o'er these, and reached the road,
That, broad and turfy 'neath the shade,
Leads to the pleasantest abode.
280
Green above green, of every hue,
The bordering trees in vista bend,
Shrubs lay their low leaves on the dew,
And pine and larch on light ascend.
The bordering trees in vista bend,
Shrubs lay their low leaves on the dew,
And pine and larch on light ascend.
Galleries of verdure! all is green,
Here lawn and bending boughs below;
Above 'tis stately shade; the scene
Seems made for glancing, Fairie show.
Here lawn and bending boughs below;
Above 'tis stately shade; the scene
Seems made for glancing, Fairie show.
But, closer bowered, their noonday haunt
Rests in a hollow, beechen dell;
It's marge no human hand could plant,
It's shadows seem to breathe a spell.
Rests in a hollow, beechen dell;
It's marge no human hand could plant,
It's shadows seem to breathe a spell.
Now, would you view the Fairies' scene,
Where twilight-dances print the lawn,
Where it spreads out in softest green,
To gaps, whence distant landscapes dawn,
Where twilight-dances print the lawn,
Where it spreads out in softest green,
To gaps, whence distant landscapes dawn,
281
Hie to the western forest-gate;
There Claudian beauty melts around;
There Elfin-turrets keep their state,
And tell, at once, 'tis Fairie ground.
There Claudian beauty melts around;
There Elfin-turrets keep their state,
And tell, at once, 'tis Fairie ground.
Or, at that later Evening-hour;
When the turf gladdens with the dew,
That almost darkens Windsor's tower,
And gives near hills a distant blue.
When the turf gladdens with the dew,
That almost darkens Windsor's tower,
And gives near hills a distant blue.
And oh! if Silence could be seen,
Thus would she look, so meek, so pale,
The image of this very scene,
When Evening glances on the vale.
Thus would she look, so meek, so pale,
The image of this very scene,
When Evening glances on the vale.
Now Edwy reached the wood-walks wild,
That open from the watery glade,
Where sweet vale-lilies, violets mild,
And primrose tufts the grass inlaid.
That open from the watery glade,
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And primrose tufts the grass inlaid.
Climbing the spiky blades and stems,
Gathering dews, were Elves a million,
Diamond drops and crystal gems,
To fringe their Fairie Queen's pavilion.
Gathering dews, were Elves a million,
Diamond drops and crystal gems,
To fringe their Fairie Queen's pavilion.
And see what flaming lights appear!
Flashed through the foliage arching high;
What silver horn winds, sweet and clear,
As breathing from the lips of Joy!
Flashed through the foliage arching high;
What silver horn winds, sweet and clear,
As breathing from the lips of Joy!
Sudden the elves, on flower and blade,
Forsake their task, and, with a bound,
Touch the green turf, and down the glade
Take hands and trip a welcome round.
Forsake their task, and, with a bound,
Touch the green turf, and down the glade
Take hands and trip a welcome round.
But Edwy hears no more the strain
Of his fleeting, tiny lady,
And watches for her bird, in vain,
To lead him through the alleys shady.
Of his fleeting, tiny lady,
And watches for her bird, in vain,
To lead him through the alleys shady.
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By him an elfin-courier speeds
On grasshopper his forest-ways;
Brushing the humble cowslip heads,
While each its trembling homage pays.
On grasshopper his forest-ways;
Brushing the humble cowslip heads,
While each its trembling homage pays.
And next, a winged beetle came,
Sounding deep his herald-horn,
The fairy sovereign to proclaim,
And evil sprites away to warn.
Sounding deep his herald-horn,
The fairy sovereign to proclaim,
And evil sprites away to warn.
There, whisked an Indian lanthorn-fly
Quick flashing forth it's emerald sheen;
Dancing low and dancing high,
In many a ring of fiery green.
Quick flashing forth it's emerald sheen;
Dancing low and dancing high,
In many a ring of fiery green.
Then came a creeping, stilly breeze,
That made the crisped waters live,
That shivered all the sleeping trees,
And bade the leaves their essence give.
That made the crisped waters live,
That shivered all the sleeping trees,
And bade the leaves their essence give.
But see, the birds on every bough
Awake and stretch their ruffled wings;
And o'er the dewy turf below
His starry glance the glow-worm flings;
Awake and stretch their ruffled wings;
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His starry glance the glow-worm flings;
And the whole woodbank's flowery couch
Is sprinkled now with glimmering bands,
Waiting their tiny Queen's approach,
Her guards and lights to Fairie lands.
Is sprinkled now with glimmering bands,
Waiting their tiny Queen's approach,
Her guards and lights to Fairie lands.
Again, that horn of Joy breathes fine,
Again, the moonlight-light waters shake;
Where'er the foaming tips combine,
Rises a fairy of the lake.
Again, the moonlight-light waters shake;
Where'er the foaming tips combine,
Rises a fairy of the lake.
Half veiled within the sparkling strife,
His inexperienced eyes scarce see
The pale forms changing into life,
Till all is glowing pageantry.
His inexperienced eyes scarce see
The pale forms changing into life,
Till all is glowing pageantry.
True to their sovereign's summons they,
Upon the lake's enchanted shore,
Await her presence proud and gay,
Where rides the fleet to waft her o'er.
Upon the lake's enchanted shore,
Await her presence proud and gay,
Where rides the fleet to waft her o'er.
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And now a spicy, rare perfume,
Such as breathes from Indian dells,
Fills all the high-wood's leafy dome,
And the fine Fairie presence tells.
Such as breathes from Indian dells,
Fills all the high-wood's leafy dome,
And the fine Fairie presence tells.
And faint aërial strains are heard,
As through the rich, festooning ways,
The Queen in moonlit-pomp appeared,
Amongst ten thousand dancing Fays.
As through the rich, festooning ways,
The Queen in moonlit-pomp appeared,
Amongst ten thousand dancing Fays.
By gold and purple butterflies
Her rose-leaved car was drawn in air;
Above, two birds of Paradise
Arch o'er her head their plumage rare.
Her rose-leaved car was drawn in air;
Above, two birds of Paradise
Arch o'er her head their plumage rare.
While, far around her, dancing beams,
That with bright rainbow colours glow,
Strike on the gloom in transient gleams,
And all her elfin-escort show.
That with bright rainbow colours glow,
Strike on the gloom in transient gleams,
And all her elfin-escort show.
All in the busy air around
Pert eyes and little wings are seen,
And voices whisper, feathers sound,
Attendant on their elfin-queen.
Pert eyes and little wings are seen,
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Attendant on their elfin-queen.
A robe of silvery snow she wore,
Frosted with magic art so true,
That the hot breath of Midsummer
Could never change it into dew.
Frosted with magic art so true,
That the hot breath of Midsummer
Could never change it into dew.
And, wafted by her happy bird,
A courtier-fairy oft proclaims,
“Now let the mirthful song be heard;
Our lady queen a welcome claims.”
A courtier-fairy oft proclaims,
“Now let the mirthful song be heard;
Our lady queen a welcome claims.”
The little bird too 'gan to sing,
And then the fairy tried her voice;
As gaily as the airs of Spring
Did that poor little bird rejoice.
And then the fairy tried her voice;
As gaily as the airs of Spring
Did that poor little bird rejoice.
The measure changed, a languid call,
Sweet with sorrow, thrice it sounded,
Concluding in a dying fall,
Softer than e'er fountain rounded.
Sweet with sorrow, thrice it sounded,
Concluding in a dying fall,
Softer than e'er fountain rounded.
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“O Nightingale! it was thy song
Sent through the woods that dying close;
I know thee now; the note prolong;
Oh! speak again those tender woes!”
Sent through the woods that dying close;
I know thee now; the note prolong;
Oh! speak again those tender woes!”
Under the boughs, the elfin-train
Mutely listened to the measure;
But, when he trilled his joy again,
They beat the ground in antic pleasure.
Mutely listened to the measure;
But, when he trilled his joy again,
They beat the ground in antic pleasure.
“O bird of feeling, various, sweet!
Thee and thy guardian-friend I hail;
I know Thee now, and gladly greet
The Love-Fay and her nightingale.
Thee and thy guardian-friend I hail;
I know Thee now, and gladly greet
The Love-Fay and her nightingale.
All fly before the elfin-queen,
Toward the lake's high-crowned head,
Near where the forest-oaks begin
A reverential gloom to spread.
Toward the lake's high-crowned head,
Near where the forest-oaks begin
A reverential gloom to spread.
With thousand sparks the woodbank swarms:
Her glow-worm knights, in long array,
Marshalled by Fire-fly—King at Arms,
Guard her and light her on her way.
Her glow-worm knights, in long array,
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Guard her and light her on her way.
Where'er they move, the drowsy flowers
Unclose their leafy curtains far;
And Fays, asleep within their bowers,
Leap forth, and dance before her car;
Unclose their leafy curtains far;
And Fays, asleep within their bowers,
Leap forth, and dance before her car;
Dance to that crystal lake's green side,
That winds through fir-crowned lawns and woods,
Whose beeches old, in giant pride,
Fling their broad shadows on the floods.
That winds through fir-crowned lawns and woods,
Whose beeches old, in giant pride,
Fling their broad shadows on the floods.
And oft they wantoned with the surge,
That, flowing near the Fairie court,
It's silver line on line did urge,
As if to tempt and share their sport;
That, flowing near the Fairie court,
It's silver line on line did urge,
As if to tempt and share their sport;
As if to woo the elfin-queen,
To float upon its moonlight breast;
Pleased to unfold each margent scene,
And bear her to her bower of rest.
To float upon its moonlight breast;
Pleased to unfold each margent scene,
And bear her to her bower of rest.
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The smile, that played upon it's face,
She seemed by magic lore to read;
And, with a kind and sportive grace,
She bade her tiny sailors speed.
She seemed by magic lore to read;
And, with a kind and sportive grace,
She bade her tiny sailors speed.
A fleet of pleasure-boats lay there,
Such vessels as befit a sprite;
The water-lilies schooners were,
Leaf after leaf out-spreading white.
Such vessels as befit a sprite;
The water-lilies schooners were,
Leaf after leaf out-spreading white.
There skiffs, fresh gathered from the lime:
There acorn-barges broad and deep;
So safe, that, e'en in tempest-time,
An Elf upon his oars might sleep,
There acorn-barges broad and deep;
So safe, that, e'en in tempest-time,
An Elf upon his oars might sleep,
And in his Heart of Oak could go,
His tiny Dreadnought, singing gay,
Spite of the winds and rocks below,
Round every fairy cliff and bay.
His tiny Dreadnought, singing gay,
Spite of the winds and rocks below,
Round every fairy cliff and bay.
Sweet wherries of long lavender,
Blossoms of every shape and stain,
From blue-bell yachts to bird-pepper,
Attended for the courtier-train.
Blossoms of every shape and stain,
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Attended for the courtier-train.
But their bright Queen more proudly sailed
In a pearl-shell ship of the line:
By water mouse-ear was she veiled,
And she was fanned with eglantine.
In a pearl-shell ship of the line:
By water mouse-ear was she veiled,
And she was fanned with eglantine.
Her canopy, bedropped with gold,
Had floated on the Indian tide;
A lotos-leaf, with ample fold,
Swelled for her sail, in snowy pride.
Had floated on the Indian tide;
A lotos-leaf, with ample fold,
Swelled for her sail, in snowy pride.
The cordage was of silver thread
Spun of fine bark of ashen tree;
The mast of sandal wood; the head
A living dolphin seemed to be.
Spun of fine bark of ashen tree;
The mast of sandal wood; the head
A living dolphin seemed to be.
Her green knights watched upon the shrouds,
Or ranged them far along the prow;
Stood round their Queen, in radiant crowds,
Or gleamed far on the wave below.
Or ranged them far along the prow;
Stood round their Queen, in radiant crowds,
Or gleamed far on the wave below.
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And others, ranked as on a cone,
Stage above stage, of towery height,
Moved on the lake around her throne,
Proud, floating pyramids of light.
Stage above stage, of towery height,
Moved on the lake around her throne,
Proud, floating pyramids of light.
Above them all, then might you spy,
In busy care, high o'er the mast,
Their king-at-arms, Sir Lanthorn-fly,
Ordering the pageant, as it past;
In busy care, high o'er the mast,
Their king-at-arms, Sir Lanthorn-fly,
Ordering the pageant, as it past;
And, glancing down the moonlight air,
He checked the lily-schooner's way;
And, whisking here and whisking there,
Recalled each blossom-sail astray.
He checked the lily-schooner's way;
And, whisking here and whisking there,
Recalled each blossom-sail astray.
Then, self-triumphant, in the van,
In airy circles pleased he danced;
Yet, while he led the revel on,
Back, for his Queen's applauses glanced.
In airy circles pleased he danced;
Yet, while he led the revel on,
Back, for his Queen's applauses glanced.
And thus in gliding state she went
O'er the long windings of the wave,
Where many a watchful eye was bent,
From hollow oak and secret cave.
O'er the long windings of the wave,
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From hollow oak and secret cave.
The screech-owl and the snake were there,
The boding raven, cruel kite,
That fill the timid heart with care,
And love to prowl in moonless night.
The boding raven, cruel kite,
That fill the timid heart with care,
And love to prowl in moonless night.
But chief on the old Forest's bound,
Where the still waters sink away,
Such evil agents walk their round,
Or lurk within the oaks so grey.
Where the still waters sink away,
Such evil agents walk their round,
Or lurk within the oaks so grey.
Bewildered in the wild-wood glades,
Edwy oft lost the long lake's side;
Till, through some deep grove's opening shades,
He saw the splendid vision glide.
Edwy oft lost the long lake's side;
Till, through some deep grove's opening shades,
He saw the splendid vision glide.
Low glanced the silver oars along,
Quick came the spires of glow-worm light,
That round their Queen's tall galley throng,
Shooting long beams aslant the night;
Quick came the spires of glow-worm light,
That round their Queen's tall galley throng,
Shooting long beams aslant the night;
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These, trembling through the branches' dome,
Touching each leaf with transient joy,
Now seen, now lost, from gloom to gloom,
Showed like the stars, when clouds fleet by.
Touching each leaf with transient joy,
Now seen, now lost, from gloom to gloom,
Showed like the stars, when clouds fleet by.
Then, over banks and under woods,
Edwy pursued the pageant's way;
Till, having reached the smiling floods,
The frolick shores his hopes betray.
Edwy pursued the pageant's way;
Till, having reached the smiling floods,
The frolick shores his hopes betray.
For, winding back, his course they mar,
Leaving him on some jutting steep,
'Mid the lone waters, while afar
The inmost bay the Fairies sweep.
Leaving him on some jutting steep,
'Mid the lone waters, while afar
The inmost bay the Fairies sweep.
And thus through wilds and woods he toiled,
Lured by short glimpse of that bright train,
Which through the distant shadows smiled,
As if in mockery of his pain.
Lured by short glimpse of that bright train,
Which through the distant shadows smiled,
As if in mockery of his pain.
Till, once again, he heard remote
That gentle bird, faithful to lovers;
And, following the high-warbled note,
Again the Fairie fleet discovers:
That gentle bird, faithful to lovers;
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Again the Fairie fleet discovers:
Just as it touched the farther shore,
To land the Queen those groves among;
When still was every little oar,
And every white sail breathless hung.
To land the Queen those groves among;
When still was every little oar,
And every white sail breathless hung.
No sound was heard but Music's voice,
Roused by the motley elfin-band,
Who play in moonshine, and rejoice
In choral welcomes o'er the strand.
Roused by the motley elfin-band,
Who play in moonshine, and rejoice
In choral welcomes o'er the strand.
The groves, that hovered o'er the brink,
The polished lake more dark returns;
And each bright star, in emerald twink,
Beneath the wave more keenly burns.
The polished lake more dark returns;
And each bright star, in emerald twink,
Beneath the wave more keenly burns.
And there, the rival of their beams,
Reflected by the glass below,
A shooting-star Sir Fire-fly seems,
While marshalling the Fairie show.
Reflected by the glass below,
A shooting-star Sir Fire-fly seems,
While marshalling the Fairie show.
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Each shroud and sail of Fairie bark,
Each glittering oar and image fair,
Within that mirror, blue and dark,
Lay, like a picture, pencilled fair.
Each glittering oar and image fair,
Within that mirror, blue and dark,
Lay, like a picture, pencilled fair.
But when Sir Fire-fly's knights moved on,
And their green torches mutely raised,
Then all the Fairie's splendour shone,
And shores and woods and waters blazed.
And their green torches mutely raised,
Then all the Fairie's splendour shone,
And shores and woods and waters blazed.
Thus, ranged in vista-lines of light,
Moving beneath the leafy gloom,
Where forest-oaks spread deepest night,
They guard her to her sylvan home.
Moving beneath the leafy gloom,
Where forest-oaks spread deepest night,
They guard her to her sylvan home.
Under an ancient beech, that high
Out-hung it's spray, her dreams of night
Were veiled from every curious eye,
Save when with magic virtue bright.
Out-hung it's spray, her dreams of night
Were veiled from every curious eye,
Save when with magic virtue bright.
It's mighty boughs a circle filled;
Like necromantic guard it stood;
It's air severe the wanderer chilled,
It's frown and haughty attitude.
Like necromantic guard it stood;
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It's frown and haughty attitude.
Soon as that beechen shade she reached,
Rustled its every leaf for joy;
Then gracefully her wand she stretched,
And lighted all its leaves on high.
Rustled its every leaf for joy;
Then gracefully her wand she stretched,
And lighted all its leaves on high.
Yet flame of torch, or lamp, was none,
Nor any glittering sparkle there;
It seemed as if the setting sun
Tinged the rich spray with rosy air.
Nor any glittering sparkle there;
It seemed as if the setting sun
Tinged the rich spray with rosy air.
Her bower through many chambers ranged,
And each a different purpose showed;
This, oft with mystic shadows changed;
That, for the dance, or banquet, glowed.
And each a different purpose showed;
This, oft with mystic shadows changed;
That, for the dance, or banquet, glowed.
Beyond them all, her cell of rest
In verdant shade and silence lay;
Save, when the ring-dove in her nest
Sung all her gentle cares away:
In verdant shade and silence lay;
Save, when the ring-dove in her nest
Sung all her gentle cares away:
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And sleepy leaves, scarce moved in air,
Or only swayed by breezes fleet,
With the lake's murmuring falls afar,
Made melody most sad and sweet.
Or only swayed by breezes fleet,
With the lake's murmuring falls afar,
Made melody most sad and sweet.
Lime-blossoms strewed the mossy floor,
And breathed a dewy fragrance round,
Inviting her to slumbers pure,
While freshness seemed to bless the ground.
And breathed a dewy fragrance round,
Inviting her to slumbers pure,
While freshness seemed to bless the ground.
Yet here, sometimes, this Queen of dreams
Would weave such seeming forms of fate,
As, sent upon the still moonbeams,
Oft by the midnight sleeper wait.
Would weave such seeming forms of fate,
As, sent upon the still moonbeams,
Oft by the midnight sleeper wait.
Hid in her cool bower might she view
The noontide lake and sunny lawns;
The slow sail on the waters blue,
And, through the brakes, the fleeting fawns;
The noontide lake and sunny lawns;
The slow sail on the waters blue,
And, through the brakes, the fleeting fawns;
And watch them on the watery brim,
Bending to sip the dainty wave,
Then starting at the form so slim,
The shadowed crystal truly gave.
Bending to sip the dainty wave,
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The shadowed crystal truly gave.
Unseen, she traced each step that roved
Rejoicing on that margent green;
Or sought the hills and groves beloved,
That crown with pleasant shade the scene.
Rejoicing on that margent green;
Or sought the hills and groves beloved,
That crown with pleasant shade the scene.
Edwy had joined the Fairie's train,
Just as she reached her leafy dome,
While full arose the choral strain
Of welcome to her beechen home.
Just as she reached her leafy dome,
While full arose the choral strain
Of welcome to her beechen home.
Her glow-worm knights, wide round the beech,
In glimmering circles take their stand;
Adder, nor bird of boding speech,
Nor step unblest may pass that band.
In glimmering circles take their stand;
Adder, nor bird of boding speech,
Nor step unblest may pass that band.
In front, high on the beechen spray,
Like Hesper, on the eastern dawn,
Sir Fire-fly spreads his watchful ray
O'er dell obscure and distant lawn.
Like Hesper, on the eastern dawn,
Sir Fire-fly spreads his watchful ray
O'er dell obscure and distant lawn.
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No shape, among the shadows there,
Could glide unseen, nor move, where frowned
That beech's wizard brows in air,
And shrink not from the mystic ground.
Could glide unseen, nor move, where frowned
That beech's wizard brows in air,
And shrink not from the mystic ground.
Save Edwy, with his magic spell;—
Invisible and fearless, he
Might pass e'en to the Fairie's cell,
Unknown—but of one enemy.
Invisible and fearless, he
Might pass e'en to the Fairie's cell,
Unknown—but of one enemy.
She tripped into her vestibule,
Arched high with rose and eglantine,
Breathing a fragrance light and cool,
And bright with dew-drops, crystalline.
Arched high with rose and eglantine,
Breathing a fragrance light and cool,
And bright with dew-drops, crystalline.
Here many a bell, that, in the day,
Had hung its fainting head awry,
Now waked for her in beauty gay,
And breathed for her its perfumed sigh.
Had hung its fainting head awry,
Now waked for her in beauty gay,
And breathed for her its perfumed sigh.
Her pavilion next she entered;
Clear the glassy columns shone;
To the turf steps Edwy ventured,
And beheld her on her throne.
Clear the glassy columns shone;
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And beheld her on her throne.
Under an ebon arch reclining,
With brilliant drops all thickly hung,
Where Mimosa's leaves were twining,
She listened, while the Love-Fay sung.
With brilliant drops all thickly hung,
Where Mimosa's leaves were twining,
She listened, while the Love-Fay sung.
The thousand dew-drops hanging there
And in the swelling dome, on high,
Trembled with radiance keen and fair,
Poured from her living diamond's eye.
And in the swelling dome, on high,
Trembled with radiance keen and fair,
Poured from her living diamond's eye.
Splendour and Joy around her moved,
And winning smiles beamed in her face,
And every virtue most beloved
Gave to her air a tender grace.
And winning smiles beamed in her face,
And every virtue most beloved
Gave to her air a tender grace.
On the ruby-pavement stealing,
Circling Elves their homage gave,
Then, in quaint moriscoes reeling,
They dance, and airy garlands wave.
Circling Elves their homage gave,
Then, in quaint moriscoes reeling,
They dance, and airy garlands wave.
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The silver-triangle, the lute,
The tambourine, with tiny bells,
Mix with the softly-breathing flute;
The mellow horn more distant swells.
The tambourine, with tiny bells,
Mix with the softly-breathing flute;
The mellow horn more distant swells.
A quaint and various group arrived:
One, fliting on a bat's wing came,
No orchard, where he haunted, thrived;
Malignant Elfant was his name.
One, fliting on a bat's wing came,
No orchard, where he haunted, thrived;
Malignant Elfant was his name.
One, upon a field-mouse gliding,
Oft the traveller appalled,
Wondrously his steps misguiding;
Sly Elféna she was called.
Oft the traveller appalled,
Wondrously his steps misguiding;
Sly Elféna she was called.
A third, upon a squirrel springing,
Never rested, night, or day;
Into some droll mischief bringing
Solemn heads, as well as gay.
Never rested, night, or day;
Into some droll mischief bringing
Solemn heads, as well as gay.
On butterfly next sailed a Fairie;
She soothes fine ladies in their vapour,
Who of unchanging good are weary,
And weep, because they've nought to weep for.
She soothes fine ladies in their vapour,
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And weep, because they've nought to weep for.
Winged by an owl, there came an elf,
Who loved to haunt the study-table,
Where, full of grave, important self,
The wisest head he would disable.
Who loved to haunt the study-table,
Where, full of grave, important self,
The wisest head he would disable.
And make it Pro-and-Con and fight
On subjects lofty as the steeple;
Or tempt some Witling to endite
Long dreams, about the elfin-people!
On subjects lofty as the steeple;
Or tempt some Witling to endite
Long dreams, about the elfin-people!
And now, the Fairie Queen demanded
Whether her elves the tasks had done,
That, at sun-set, she had commanded;
And now she called them one by one.
Whether her elves the tasks had done,
That, at sun-set, she had commanded;
And now she called them one by one.
She called them, but they came not all;
Again, the magic horn was wound,
Then thronging sprites obeyed the call;
But still some truants wild were found.
Again, the magic horn was wound,
Then thronging sprites obeyed the call;
But still some truants wild were found.
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Yet was this blast so distant heard,
That elves, on Windsor's battlement,
Mounted the moonbeams at it's word,
And o'er the Long Walk gaily went;
That elves, on Windsor's battlement,
Mounted the moonbeams at it's word,
And o'er the Long Walk gaily went;
Nor stayed upon the tufts to dance
Of the broad, bowery way, that swept,
With utmost pomp, beneath their glance,
Though there the yellow moonlight slept;
Of the broad, bowery way, that swept,
With utmost pomp, beneath their glance,
Though there the yellow moonlight slept;
Though many a bird they loved was hid
In silent rest, beneath the leaves,
Which, if awaked and gently bid,
Would sing the song that care deceives—
In silent rest, beneath the leaves,
Which, if awaked and gently bid,
Would sing the song that care deceives—
Yet, had they surely waked them, too,
And danced a morrice on the trees,
Had not the horn complaining blew,
Like coming of a tempest breeze.
And danced a morrice on the trees,
Had not the horn complaining blew,
Like coming of a tempest breeze.
But e'en the Fairie's summons failed,
Yielding awhile to Beauty's spell,
When Windsor's proudest groves they hailed,
Crowning its wildest, deepest dell.
Yielding awhile to Beauty's spell,
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Crowning its wildest, deepest dell.
They paused a moment on that brow,
Under the shading oaks they strayed,
To spy, beneath the branches low,
The moonlight-towers, beyond their shade.
Under the shading oaks they strayed,
To spy, beneath the branches low,
The moonlight-towers, beyond their shade.
Beyond that shade in peace they lay,
Gates, turrets, battlements aloft,
Just silvered by the distant ray,
That 'neath the dark boughs glimmered oft.
Gates, turrets, battlements aloft,
Just silvered by the distant ray,
That 'neath the dark boughs glimmered oft.
It seemed some vision of the air,
By magic raised in forest lone,
That held entranced some lady fair,
Till nodding towers her knight should own.
By magic raised in forest lone,
That held entranced some lady fair,
Till nodding towers her knight should own.
The horn again! but not like breeze
Before some gentle summer shower,
But rushing through th' affrighted trees,
E'en with an angry whirlwind's power.
Before some gentle summer shower,
But rushing through th' affrighted trees,
E'en with an angry whirlwind's power.
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The moonlight-castle sinks and fades,
Beneath the tossing boughs afar;
And fear the truant elves invades;
And swift they mount their beamy car.
Beneath the tossing boughs afar;
And fear the truant elves invades;
And swift they mount their beamy car.
No banquet in the bower for them;
No tripping strains their steps invite;
The Fairie sovereign will condemn
Their disobedience and their slight.
No tripping strains their steps invite;
The Fairie sovereign will condemn
Their disobedience and their slight.
“Hence,” she cries, “a vision weave
For the couch of that false lover,
Who could a trusting heart deceive;
Hence, and o'er his slumber hover.
For the couch of that false lover,
Who could a trusting heart deceive;
Hence, and o'er his slumber hover.
“Dance before him, like a shade;
Trace upon his sleeping eye
Image of that mournful maid,
Whom he won, and left to die;
Trace upon his sleeping eye
Image of that mournful maid,
Whom he won, and left to die;
“In my cell of shadows look
You will there the semblance see,
Of the damsel he forsook
All from idle vanity.
You will there the semblance see,
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All from idle vanity.
“Touch his heart with jealousy,
Shape a dream to rouse despair;
Then to the sad maiden flee,
And expel her silly care.
Shape a dream to rouse despair;
Then to the sad maiden flee,
And expel her silly care.
“So, when the streaky dawn doth wake,
Each shall rise, with changed intent;
Each shall the other's fortune take,
He, despair—and she, content.
Each shall rise, with changed intent;
Each shall the other's fortune take,
He, despair—and she, content.
“If these dreams ye shadow well,
Return, before the lark is up,
Or the chime of matin bell;
Dance the morrice; sip the cup.
“Now farewell.”
Return, before the lark is up,
Or the chime of matin bell;
Dance the morrice; sip the cup.
“Now farewell.”
Scarce had she spoke, when all the bower
As in a twilight shadow lay;
The dewy lamp on every flower
Quivered first, then died away.
As in a twilight shadow lay;
The dewy lamp on every flower
Quivered first, then died away.
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Her magic diamond warned the Queen
Of step unhallowed passing near;
It paled its ray to trembling green,
And shrunk with sympathetic fear.
Of step unhallowed passing near;
It paled its ray to trembling green,
And shrunk with sympathetic fear.
Then hastily the Queen exclaimed,
“Some mortal footsteps press the ground;”
For Edwy, when the Elves she named,
Had nearer drawn to catch the sound.
“Some mortal footsteps press the ground;”
For Edwy, when the Elves she named,
Had nearer drawn to catch the sound.
Just then the little Nightingale,
In pity of the lover's pain,
Sung from Mimosa's shadowy veil
His softest, sweetest, saddest tale.
In pity of the lover's pain,
Sung from Mimosa's shadowy veil
His softest, sweetest, saddest tale.
Which, well he knew, his Queen would win
From aught ungracious, or severe.
With charmed, attentive, brow serene,
She smiled, and, dashing off a tear,
From aught ungracious, or severe.
With charmed, attentive, brow serene,
She smiled, and, dashing off a tear,
On Eda called, the Love Fay, thrice,
Some tale of mortal truth to tell:—
Her name did Edwy's heart rejoice;
For, that Fay's name completes his spell!
Some tale of mortal truth to tell:—
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For, that Fay's name completes his spell!
Then straight, the bower began to show
Returning light; and, through each bud,
From faintness freed to living glow,
Circled the bright transparent blood.
Returning light; and, through each bud,
From faintness freed to living glow,
Circled the bright transparent blood.
Now what of chastisement befell
This vagrant swain, for his intrusion,
Village-tradition does not tell,
Or tells with most profound confusion.
This vagrant swain, for his intrusion,
Village-tradition does not tell,
Or tells with most profound confusion.
But this most gossips do relate,
That, though he was not held in durance,
He gained no knowledge of his fate,
And nothing got by his assurance,
That, though he was not held in durance,
He gained no knowledge of his fate,
And nothing got by his assurance,
Unless it be, that he did see
What seldom had been seen before,
A Fairie Court, in starlight sport,
With pleasure squadrons and on shore.
What seldom had been seen before,
A Fairie Court, in starlight sport,
With pleasure squadrons and on shore.
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But haply, on some other day,
We may learn more of his manœuvres,
And then we shall not fail to say,
What came of Aura and her lovers.
We may learn more of his manœuvres,
And then we shall not fail to say,
What came of Aura and her lovers.
The beautiful lodge at Sandpit Gate opening from the Western side of the Great Park. The scenery about this is of exceeding beauty and sweet repose.
The beautiful turf-walks, that branch from the Virginia Water, exhibit, perhaps, every known variety of pine and fir on their long, sweeping borders. Their stately forms and the variety of their tints, intermixed, at intervals, with lofty oak and beech, and so closely bowered below with flowering shrubs, that scarcely a spot of earth is visible beneath them, make these broad, green alleys as delightful, when closely viewed, as they are otherwise graceful from their general aspect.
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III. PART III. THE MAGIC MIRRORS.
A SUMMER NIGHT IN WINDSOR FOREST.
Edwy forsook the Fairie Court,
And to forest-glades withdrew,
Where never yet had elfin-sport
Cheered the melancholy view.
And to forest-glades withdrew,
Where never yet had elfin-sport
Cheered the melancholy view.
Upon the hazel-wands he writes
Eda's name, with “thrice and three,”
Then buries them, with bidden rites,
Underneath a forest-tree.
Eda's name, with “thrice and three,”
Then buries them, with bidden rites,
Underneath a forest-tree.
It was an oak, whose trunk within
A foul and watching spirit lay,
Whose night-shrieks in the tempest-din,
Filled the traveller with dismay:
A foul and watching spirit lay,
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Filled the traveller with dismay:
It was an oak, whose sinewy boughs
Threw a dark horror o'er the ground;
Whose high, gaunt top and warrior-brows
With the storms of ages frowned.
Threw a dark horror o'er the ground;
Whose high, gaunt top and warrior-brows
With the storms of ages frowned.
Its trunk was never touched with light,
So wide and deep the branching shade
Of leaves, that, on a starry night,
A gleam, like break of morning, shed.
So wide and deep the branching shade
Of leaves, that, on a starry night,
A gleam, like break of morning, shed.
But the brook, stealing from the brake,
Showed a glimpse of brighter ray,
When on it's dewy banks did take
Will-o'-the Wisp his mystic way.
Showed a glimpse of brighter ray,
When on it's dewy banks did take
Will-o'-the Wisp his mystic way.
Round the high roots our Edwy drew,
With muttered charm, a magic line;
And in the circle heart's ease threw,
And briony and eglantine;
With muttered charm, a magic line;
And in the circle heart's ease threw,
And briony and eglantine;
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Then sweets and poisons, three and three,
Jess'mine blossoms, violet bud,
The deadly nightshade's tresses grey,
And the pale Monk's gloomy head.
Jess'mine blossoms, violet bud,
The deadly nightshade's tresses grey,
And the pale Monk's gloomy head.
Next, the buried wands he raised,
And “Eda! Eda! Eda!” called;
Thrice upon the West he gazed,
When, hark! a shriek his breast appalled.
And “Eda! Eda! Eda!” called;
Thrice upon the West he gazed,
When, hark! a shriek his breast appalled.
It was the spirit of the oak,
Who, startled by the Love-Fay's name,
His dark and secret home forsook.
He fled, in haste, whene'er she came.
Who, startled by the Love-Fay's name,
His dark and secret home forsook.
He fled, in haste, whene'er she came.
A tongue from Windsor's distant tower
Tolled Twelve along the silent wood,
When, lo! the planet of the hour
Quivered upon the trembling flood.
Tolled Twelve along the silent wood,
When, lo! the planet of the hour
Quivered upon the trembling flood.
Cheered by the monitory sight,
Then Edwy forth his mirrors drew,
And by that star's informing light,
Upheld them to his searching view.
Then Edwy forth his mirrors drew,
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Upheld them to his searching view.
Again he called on Eda's name
Mildly and meekly to appear.
And round the crystals rolled a flame;
While unknown murmurs met his ear.
Mildly and meekly to appear.
And round the crystals rolled a flame;
While unknown murmurs met his ear.
See!—o'er the mirrors mists arise,
And strange and fearful shadows throng;
Frowning faces, glaring eyes
Look and threat and glance along.
And strange and fearful shadows throng;
Frowning faces, glaring eyes
Look and threat and glance along.
These gone, a tiny form there bounds,
Flitting along the magic glass;
Which, in an instant, her surrounds
With leaves of Love in Idleness.
Flitting along the magic glass;
Which, in an instant, her surrounds
With leaves of Love in Idleness.
She seems reclining in a bower,
As the green leaves around her spread,
The motley-yellow, purple flower
Bends in a top-knot o'er her head.
As the green leaves around her spread,
The motley-yellow, purple flower
Bends in a top-knot o'er her head.
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As round this cage of wreaths she hies,
Forth from her wand a lustre pale
Dawns o'er her blue and frolic eyes,
And silvers all her dewy veil,
Forth from her wand a lustre pale
Dawns o'er her blue and frolic eyes,
And silvers all her dewy veil,
Touches the rose upon her cheek,
The dimple, that her quaint lip owns,
The smile, that now begins to break,
Through clouds of wild, capricious frowns.
The dimple, that her quaint lip owns,
The smile, that now begins to break,
Through clouds of wild, capricious frowns.
While Edwy gazed, a little strain
Of sweet complaint did feebly swell,
When, hovering round her leafy chain,
Behold! her faithful Nightingale!
Of sweet complaint did feebly swell,
When, hovering round her leafy chain,
Behold! her faithful Nightingale!
He perched upon the true-knot there,
And tried to break, with slender bill,
Her prison-wreath, so flowery fair;
But the leaves mocked his puny skill.
And tried to break, with slender bill,
Her prison-wreath, so flowery fair;
But the leaves mocked his puny skill.
Too late, she owns the forceful spell
The little purple blossom throws.
Fixed, as a painting, she must tell
Mildly and meekly all she knows!
The little purple blossom throws.
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Mildly and meekly all she knows!
“Fairy Eda! show to me
Aura, as she's now employed.”—
“On the other glass you'll see;”
With pretty lisp the Fay replied.
Aura, as she's now employed.”—
“On the other glass you'll see;”
With pretty lisp the Fay replied.
He looked; the colours faintly dawn,
And living forms begin to glow:
Aura, full-dressed in lace and lawn,
Blooms in a ball-room with a beau.
And living forms begin to glow:
Aura, full-dressed in lace and lawn,
Blooms in a ball-room with a beau.
And, dancing with a Grace's air,
And with the eyes of Venus smiling,
Edwy beheld her, with despair,
His hated rival's heart beguiling.
And with the eyes of Venus smiling,
Edwy beheld her, with despair,
His hated rival's heart beguiling.
To atoms he had almost dashed
The mirror, and so lost the spell,
But warning lights around him flashed,
Checked his hand, and all was well,
The mirror, and so lost the spell,
But warning lights around him flashed,
Checked his hand, and all was well,
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“Who is this Fop, so light and vain?”—
Quickly, the magic scene is changed
To rivers, woods, a wide domain,
With falconers on the banks ranged.
Quickly, the magic scene is changed
To rivers, woods, a wide domain,
With falconers on the banks ranged.
All at their head his rival pranced
In velvet cap, with feathers gay,
And proudly o'er the sward advanced,
While men and steeds their lord obey.
In velvet cap, with feathers gay,
And proudly o'er the sward advanced,
While men and steeds their lord obey.
“O tell me, Eda—loves she him?
Can she her promise old forget?”—
A flame curled round the mirror's rim;
The crystal darkened into jet.
Can she her promise old forget?”—
A flame curled round the mirror's rim;
The crystal darkened into jet.
And in long moonlight prospect rose
Windsor-Terrace, flanked with towers;
How soft the lights and shades repose
Among the low Park's lawns and bowers!
Windsor-Terrace, flanked with towers;
How soft the lights and shades repose
Among the low Park's lawns and bowers!
Oh! what an arch the heavens throw
Upon the vast horizon round!
The stars! how numberless they glow
Down to the landscape's dim-seen bound!
Upon the vast horizon round!
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Down to the landscape's dim-seen bound!
Some battlements are left in night;
Others almost appear to shine
Of yonder tower, whose stately height
Draws on the sky a tall black line,
Others almost appear to shine
Of yonder tower, whose stately height
Draws on the sky a tall black line,
That measures, on the azure void,
Billions of miles, while worlds unknown,
Distant howe'er, glow, side by side,
Upon it's shadowy profile shown.
Billions of miles, while worlds unknown,
Distant howe'er, glow, side by side,
Upon it's shadowy profile shown.
Down on the terrace, men appear,
Gliding along the stately wall,
With arms enfolding the tall spear—
How still their measured footsteps fall!
Gliding along the stately wall,
With arms enfolding the tall spear—
How still their measured footsteps fall!
Voices are heard round that vast shade,
Although no talkers meet the sight;
But, beyond, where moonbeams spread,
Figures steal upon the light.
Although no talkers meet the sight;
But, beyond, where moonbeams spread,
Figures steal upon the light.
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'Twas Aura, with a lady-friend—
'Twas Aura, with this lover new!
Ah! does she to his suit attend?
The distance baffled Edwy's view.
'Twas Aura, with this lover new!
Ah! does she to his suit attend?
The distance baffled Edwy's view.
“Eda! Eda! why torment me
With obscure ambiguous truth?
Thou to show my fate wast sent me.
Say, will she wed this fopling-youth?”
With obscure ambiguous truth?
Thou to show my fate wast sent me.
Say, will she wed this fopling-youth?”
Behold! the terrace fades away!
And a tap'stried room succeeds;
Her sire, with age and wisdom grey,
'Mid lawyer, settlements and deed
And a tap'stried room succeeds;
Her sire, with age and wisdom grey,
'Mid lawyer, settlements and deed
Again, the charmed picture changed:
A gothic porch, with silk all hung;
There beaux and ladies fair are ranged,
While humbler gazers round them throng.
A gothic porch, with silk all hung;
There beaux and ladies fair are ranged,
While humbler gazers round them throng.
There a happy rival waited
With his friends, in trim array:
“Aura! what makes thee belated?
Aura! why this long delay?”
With his friends, in trim array:
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Aura! why this long delay?”
Again, the mirrors were in danger,
From our thoughtless Edwy's rage;
But a fairie checked his anger—
Would she might his grief assuage!
From our thoughtless Edwy's rage;
But a fairie checked his anger—
Would she might his grief assuage!
Next, dimly on the crystal steals
A chamber in her father's home;
There, Aura, weeping, pleads and kneels!
The father, frowning, quits the room.
A chamber in her father's home;
There, Aura, weeping, pleads and kneels!
The father, frowning, quits the room.
Again the changeful glass receives
The porch—and Edwy, doth he tremble,
As smiling Aura there he sees?
And whom doth the bridegroom resemble?
The porch—and Edwy, doth he tremble,
As smiling Aura there he sees?
And whom doth the bridegroom resemble?
It is—himself!—He's joyous, frantic,
As the glass showed his happy shape;
But as he sprung, with gesture antic,
It fell, and let the fairie 'scape!
As the glass showed his happy shape;
But as he sprung, with gesture antic,
It fell, and let the fairie 'scape!
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Without due homage let her fly!
Straight, unknown voices from the ground
Wildly exclaimed, “O fie! fie! fie!”
And “Fie! fie! fie!” the echoes sound.
Straight, unknown voices from the ground
Wildly exclaimed, “O fie! fie! fie!”
And “Fie! fie! fie!” the echoes sound.
Unhomaged he had let her fly!
From the old oak an owlet hooted;
And thence a louder “Fie! fie! fie!”
To the spot poor Edwy rooted.
From the old oak an owlet hooted;
And thence a louder “Fie! fie! fie!”
To the spot poor Edwy rooted.
But, soon recovered, through the woods,
Hopeful and light, away he sprung:
The moon peeped through their leafy hoods,
And o'er the path her chequers flung.
Hopeful and light, away he sprung:
The moon peeped through their leafy hoods,
And o'er the path her chequers flung.
To the forest's-edge he hied,
Where the Beech's giant-form
Had, for age on age, defied,
With his lion-fangs the storm:
Where the Beech's giant-form
Had, for age on age, defied,
With his lion-fangs the storm:
Where the Lime, with spotted bark—
Spots, that old moss on silver weaves,
Hung her spray on branches dark
Among the light transparent leaves,
Spots, that old moss on silver weaves,
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Among the light transparent leaves,
And fragrant blossoms, forming bowers,
That cast, at noon, a twilight green,
Where 'twas most sweet to watch the hours
Change the highly-tinctured scene.
That cast, at noon, a twilight green,
Where 'twas most sweet to watch the hours
Change the highly-tinctured scene.
The silvery Aspin quivered nigh,
The spiry Pine in darkness rose,
The Ash, all airy grace, on high
Waved her lightly-feathered boughs.
The spiry Pine in darkness rose,
The Ash, all airy grace, on high
Waved her lightly-feathered boughs.
And there the mighty Chesnut reared
His massy verdure, deepening night;
Whose pale flowers through the dark appeared
Like gleams of April's coldest light.
His massy verdure, deepening night;
Whose pale flowers through the dark appeared
Like gleams of April's coldest light.
Under the low boughs Edwy went.
Shade, after shade, in close array,
A sadder tint to midnight lent;
And thoughtless Edwy lost his way.
Shade, after shade, in close array,
A sadder tint to midnight lent;
And thoughtless Edwy lost his way.
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Now, far beyond the long-drawn gloom,
Where a faint, misty moonlight fell,
He watched a lonely figure roam,
And loud he made the echoes swell.
Where a faint, misty moonlight fell,
He watched a lonely figure roam,
And loud he made the echoes swell.
His call was heard, the stranger turned,
And paused a moment; but, in vain,
Our Edwy would his way have learned,
For, not a word in answer came.
And paused a moment; but, in vain,
Our Edwy would his way have learned,
For, not a word in answer came.
The vision fled—but soon a cry,
Loud, though far-off, alarmed his ear;
And a footstep passed him by;
Which he followed fast and near.
Loud, though far-off, alarmed his ear;
And a footstep passed him by;
Which he followed fast and near.
Till a groan of sad affright
Almost killed him, with dismay;
And to his undoubting sight
There a man expiring lay.
Almost killed him, with dismay;
And to his undoubting sight
There a man expiring lay.
As, horror-fixed, awhile he stood,
A cloud o'erspread it's darkening veil;
It suited well his fearful mood;
It hid that dreadful visage pale.
A cloud o'erspread it's darkening veil;
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It hid that dreadful visage pale.
Now, mark, where yonder high elms crowd,
What red lights gleam and pass along!
What funeral torches, dirges loud!
A bier and mourners round it throng.
What red lights gleam and pass along!
What funeral torches, dirges loud!
A bier and mourners round it throng.
Down th' avenue of pines they go:
All sad and chaunting their despair,
Then wind they on in pomp of woe;
Then fade and vanish into air!
All sad and chaunting their despair,
Then wind they on in pomp of woe;
Then fade and vanish into air!
For, yonder, o'er the eastern hill,
Morning's crystal tint is seen,
Edging the darkness, solemn still,
And glimmering o'er the sleeping scene.
Morning's crystal tint is seen,
Edging the darkness, solemn still,
And glimmering o'er the sleeping scene.
O best of light! O light of soul!
O blessed Dawn, to thee we owe
The humbled thought—our mind's best dole,
The bliss of praise—Devotion's glow.
O blessed Dawn, to thee we owe
The humbled thought—our mind's best dole,
The bliss of praise—Devotion's glow.
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O blessed Dawn! more sweet to me
Thy gradual hues, thy influence fine
O'er flying darkness, than the ray
And glorious pomp, that doth enshrine
Thy gradual hues, thy influence fine
O'er flying darkness, than the ray
And glorious pomp, that doth enshrine
The cope of heaven, when the Sun
Comes laughing from the joyous East,
And bids th' expressive shadows run
To tell his coming to the West.
Comes laughing from the joyous East,
And bids th' expressive shadows run
To tell his coming to the West.
At thy first tint the happy lark
Awakes, and trills his note of joy;
And feebler, warbling murmurs, hark!
Break from the woodlands—rise, and die,
Awakes, and trills his note of joy;
And feebler, warbling murmurs, hark!
Break from the woodlands—rise, and die,
At thy first tint, O blessed light!
Th' observant Elves and spectres fled,
And that misguiding, watching sprite
Home to her oaken dungeon sped;
Th' observant Elves and spectres fled,
And that misguiding, watching sprite
Home to her oaken dungeon sped;
Elfena then, the mischief-fay,
Who with an urchin had combined
To 'wilder Edwy thus astray;
Now in a Monk's-hood is confined.
Who with an urchin had combined
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Now in a Monk's-hood is confined.
No dying man was there—no moan,
There were no red-lights, near the elms,
No funeral torches, dirge's moan,
No sable band, whom grief o'erwhelms.
There were no red-lights, near the elms,
No funeral torches, dirge's moan,
No sable band, whom grief o'erwhelms.
Still, doubtful of his homeward way,
Our hero watched the rise of dawn,
Over a beech-tree's airy spray,
That trembles on the Park's high lawn.
Our hero watched the rise of dawn,
Over a beech-tree's airy spray,
That trembles on the Park's high lawn.
And soon the glorious Sun was spied,
And Windsor, in her pomp of groves,
Rose up in battlemented pride,
Queen of the vale, that Old Thames loves—
And Windsor, in her pomp of groves,
Rose up in battlemented pride,
Queen of the vale, that Old Thames loves—
From where the far-seen western hill
In smiling slumber seems to lie,
Upon the azure vault so still
As listening heaven's harmony,
In smiling slumber seems to lie,
Upon the azure vault so still
As listening heaven's harmony,
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To where, beneath the eastern ray,
With swelling dome and spires aloft,
Vast London's lengthened city lay,
All miniatured, distinct and soft—
With swelling dome and spires aloft,
Vast London's lengthened city lay,
All miniatured, distinct and soft—
To where, upon the northern edge,
Learned Harrow points her vane,
And Stanmore lifts it's heathy ridge,
Sloping to the cultured plain,
Learned Harrow points her vane,
And Stanmore lifts it's heathy ridge,
Sloping to the cultured plain,
Which, purpled with the morning's glow,
To boundless tints of azure fades,
While humbler spires and hamlets show
Their sun-lights o'er the woody shades;
To boundless tints of azure fades,
While humbler spires and hamlets show
Their sun-lights o'er the woody shades;
And gleaming Thames along the vale,
'Midst willowy meads, his waters led,
While, here and there, a feeble sail
Was to the scarce-felt breeze outspread.
'Midst willowy meads, his waters led,
While, here and there, a feeble sail
Was to the scarce-felt breeze outspread.
The willowy meads and lawns rejoice;
And every heath, and warbling wood;
The fragrant air, with whispering voice,
The golden clouds, the brightened flood,
And every heath, and warbling wood;
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The golden clouds, the brightened flood,
All laugh and sing beneath the morn,
The dancing lamb, the springing deer;
The wild bee with his humming horn,
And, loud and long, Sir Chanticleer.
The dancing lamb, the springing deer;
The wild bee with his humming horn,
And, loud and long, Sir Chanticleer.
Soon as his joyous clarion calls,
Answering notes strike up and swell
From rafter dark and loop-holed walls,
Where sleep and silence seemed to dwell,
Answering notes strike up and swell
From rafter dark and loop-holed walls,
Where sleep and silence seemed to dwell,
Surprising with their clamour clear
The passing herdsman and his hound;
Thus, far and near, Sir Chanticleer
Rouses up all the country round.
The passing herdsman and his hound;
Thus, far and near, Sir Chanticleer
Rouses up all the country round.
Edwy so roused, who long had stood
Over this scene of morning beauty,
Forgetting every other good,
And lost to each forgotten duty,
Over this scene of morning beauty,
Forgetting every other good,
And lost to each forgotten duty,
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Now, bounding lightly down the hills
And through the high o'erarching groves,
Hied to his home, where Eda wills
He soon shall wed the nymph he loves;
And through the high o'erarching groves,
Hied to his home, where Eda wills
He soon shall wed the nymph he loves;
And grateful for the boon she grants,
He now resolves, that, never more,
His spell shall shock her quiet haunts;
And quite abjures the magic lore.
He now resolves, that, never more,
His spell shall shock her quiet haunts;
And quite abjures the magic lore.
But,—never let impatient wight,
When he presumes to woo a fairie,
Destroy his glass,—or rouse her spite,
But civil be—and very wary.
When he presumes to woo a fairie,
Destroy his glass,—or rouse her spite,
But civil be—and very wary.
Thus all was well,
As watchmen tell,
Of fairie sports in Windsor glades,
Save that too long
A summer-song
Once lingered in those witching shades.
As watchmen tell,
Of fairie sports in Windsor glades,
Save that too long
A summer-song
Once lingered in those witching shades.
| Gaston de Blondeville, or The court of Henry III | |