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, Courtsied when you have and kiss'd 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; Beetles black, approach not near; 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 : |