The Fairy Rade.

        I.

Ai me! why stood I on the bent
When Summer wept o'er dying June!
I saw the Fairy Folk ride faint
    Aneath the moon.


        II.

The haw-trees hedged the russet lea
Where cuckoo-buds waxed rich with gold;
The wealthy corn rose yellowly
    Endlong the wold.


        III.

Betwixt the haw-trees and the mead
"The Fairy Rade" came glimmering on;
A creamy cavalcade did speed
    O'er the green lawn.


        IV.

The night was ringing with their reins;
Loud laughed they till the cricket hushed;
The whistles on their coursers' manes
    Shrill music gushed.


        V.

The whistles tagged their horses' manes
All crystal clear; on these a wind
Forever played, and waked the plains
    Before, behind.


        VI.

These flute-notes and the Fairy song
Took the dim holts with many a qualm,
And eke their silver bridles rung
    A far-off psalm.


        VII.

All rid upon pale ouphen steeds
With flying tails, uncouthly seen;
Each wore a scarf athwart his weeds
    Of freshest green.


        VIII.

And aye a beam of silver light
Fairer than moonshine danced aboon,
And shook their locks - a glimmering white
    Not of the moon.


        IX.

Small were they that the hare-bell's blue
Had helmeted each tiny head;
Save one damsel, who, tall as two,
    The Faeries led.


        X.

Long tresses floated from a tire
Of diamond sparks, which cast a light,
And o'er her white sark shook, in fire
    Rippling the night.


        XI.

I would have thrown me 'neath her feet,
And told her all my dole and pain,
There while her rein was jingling sweet
    O'er all the plain.


        XII.

Alas! a black and thwarting cock
Crew from the thatch with long-necked cry -
The Elfin queen and her wee flock
    In the night did die.