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XXIII

THE FAIRY LIFE

WHERE the bee sucks, there suck I:

In a cowslip's bell I lie ;

There I couch when owls do cry.

On the bat's back I do fly

After summer merrily.

Merrily, merrily shall I live now,

Under the blossom that hangs on the bough.

II

Come unto these yellow sands,
And then take hands :

Courtsied when you have and kiss'd
The wild waves whist,

Foot it featly here and there;

And, sweet Sprites, the burthen bear :

Hark, hark!

Bow-wow.

The watch-dogs bark:

Bow-wow.

Hark, hark! I hear

The strain of strutting chanticleer

Cry, Cock-a-diddle-dow.

III

Over hill, over dale

Thorough bush, thorough brier Over park, over pale

Thorough flood, thorough fire I do wander every where, Swifter than the moon's sphere; And I serve the fairy Queen, To dew her orbs upon the green. The cowslips tall her pensioners be: In their gold coats spots you see, Those be rubies, fairy favours,

In those freckles live their savours: I must go seek some dewdrops here And hang a pearl in every cowslip's ear.

XXIV

LULLABY

You spotted snakes with double tongue, Thorny hedgehogs, be not seen;

Newts and blind-worms, do no wrong,

Come not near our fairy Queen!

Weaving spiders, come not here;
Hence, you long-legg'd spinners, hence!

Beetles black, approach not near;
Worm nor snail, do no offence.

Philomel, with melody

Sing in our sweet lullaby;

Lulla, lulla, lullaby, Lulla, lulla, lullaby:

Never harm

Nor spell nor charm

Come our lovely lady nigh:

So, Good Night, with lullaby.

XXV

THE FAIRY BLESSING

OW the hungry lion roars

Now

And the wolf behowls the moon,

Whilst the heavy ploughman snores,

All with weary task fordone.

Now the wasted brands do glow,

Whilst the screech-owl, screeching loud,

Puts the wretch that lies in woe

In remembrance of a shroud.

Now it is the time of night

That the graves all gaping wide, Every one lets forth his sprite

In the church-way paths to glide:

And we Fairies, that do run

By the triple Hecate's team

From the presence of the sun,

Following darkness like a dream,

Now are frolic: not a mouse

Shall disturb this hallow'd house :

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