The Fairy Funeral
The twilight air grew still and
passing sweet,1
And all around,2
Over the mossy ground,3
Stole a low cadenced sound of tiny feet.4
Then, two by two, came on the Fairy train5
With solemn tread,6
Bearing away the dead7
Whom midnight moon should ne’er behold again.8
Lifeless and pale upon a rose-leaf lay9
The elfin Queen,10
Still robed in glittering sheen,11
Borne by four moths draped in long mantles grey.12
The sorrowing flowers bent o’er Titania dead,13
And looked their last14
Upon her as she past,15
When thus all mournfully King Oberon said :16
“ Oh, pearly dew ! blend not thy tears with ours !17
One moment stay,18
Till we have passed away,19
Our tears alone must bathe our funeral flowers.20
“ And thou, O gentle breeze ! forbear to sigh !21
Stir not a leaf22
In unavailing grief,23
But let the fairy funeral go by.”24
On wended they, and never more was seen25
That fairy band ;26
They all forsook the land27
Where Oberon had forever lost his Queen.28
No more in magic ring ’neath greenwood tree29
Shall elfin sprite30
Gladden midsummer night31
With dance and song and gleesome revelry.32