| |
| 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, | 5 |
| 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 new-born babe they blessed; | |
| One has brought a jewel—and one a crown of gold, | |
| And one has brought a curse—but she is wrinkled and old. | 10 |
| 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; | 15 |
| 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, | 20 |
| 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 mustache; | |
| See how he waves his hand—and how his blue eyes flash! | |
| |
| “Come forth, thou Paynim knight!”—he shouts in accents clear. | 25 |
| 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! | 30 |
| |
| 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 | 35 |
| A child by the old hall-fire—upon my nurse’s knee! | |
| |
