FAIRY DAYS.

Beside the old hall-fire — upon my nurse's knee,

Of happy fairy days — what tales were told to me!

I thought the world was once — all peopled with princesses,

And my heart would beat to hear — their loves and their distresses:

And many a quiet night,— in slumber sweet and deep,

The pretty fairy people — would visit me in sleep.

I saw them in my dreams — come flying east and west,

With wondrous fairy gifts — the newborn babe they bless'd;

One has brought a jewel — and one a crown of gold,

And one has brought a curse — but she is wrinkled and old.

The gentle queen turns pale — to hear those words of sin,

But the king he only laughs — and bids the dance begin.

The babe has grown to be — the fairest of the land,

And rides the forest green — a hawk upon her hand,

An ambling palfrey white — a golden robe and crown:

I've seen her in my dreams — riding up and down:

And heard the ogre laugh — as she fell into his snare,

At the little tender creature — who wept and tore her hair!

But ever when it seemed — her need was at the sorest,

A prince in shining mail — comes prancing through the forest,

A waving ostrich-plume — a buckler burnished bright;

I've seen him in my dreams — good sooth! a gallant knight.

His lips are coral red — beneath a dark moustache;

See how he waves his hand — and how his blue eyes flash!

“Come forth, thou Paynim knight!” — he shouts in accents clear.

The giant and the maid — both tremble his voice to hear.

Saint Mary guard him well!— he draws his falchion keen,

The giant and the knight — are fighting on the green.

I see them in my dreams — his blade gives stroke on stroke,

The giant pants and reels — and tumbles like an oak!

With what a blushing grace — he falls upon his knee

And takes the lady's hand — and whispers, “You are free!”

Ah! happy childish tales — of knight and faërie!

I waken from my dreams — but there's ne'er a knight for me;

I waken from my dreams — and wish that I could be

A child by the old hall-fire — upon my nurse's knee!