Scarce had the night's pale Lady staid The slumberer from his trance awoke. Stiff stood his courser's mane with dread, Yet calmly shone the moonshine pale On glade and hillock, flower and tree ; And sweet the gurgling nightingale Poured forth her music, wild and free. Sudden her notes fall hushed; and near The Fairies round their Fairy King. Twelve hundred Elfin knights and more And each a diamond lance displayed. And pursuivants with wands of gold, And minstrels scarfed and laurelled fair, Heralds with blazoned flags unrolled, And trumpet-tuning dwarfs were there. Behind, twelve hundred ladies coy, On milk-white steeds, brought up their Queen, Their kerchiefs of the crimson soy, Their kirtles all of Lincoln-green. Some wore, in fanciful costume, A sapphire or a topaz crown ; And some wore masks, and some wore hoods, With all gay tints the darksome shade And not a sound their bridles made Their steeds they quit ;-the knights advance, Where'er they trip, where'er they tread, "The dance lead up, the dance lead down, The dance lead round our favourite tree; If now one lady wears a frown, A false and froward shrew is she! "There's not a smile we Fays let fall But swells the tide of human bliss; And if good luck attends our call, "T is due on such sweet night as this: "The dance lead up, the dance lead down, The dance lead round our favourite tree; If now even Oberon wears a frown, A false and froward churl is he!" Thus sing the Fays;-Lord Musgrave hears The radiant show, despite the fears That to his bounding bosom rise. But soft! the minstrelsy declines; The morris ceases, sound the shaums; And quick, whilst many a taper shines, The heralds rank their airy swarms. Titania waves her crystal wand, And underneath the green-wood bower, Tables, and urns, and goblets stand, Metheglin, nectar, fruit, and flower. "To banquet, ho!" the seneschals Titania by her king, each knight Beside his ladye love; the page Behind his scutcheoned lord,-a bright Equipment on a brilliant stage! The monarch sits;-all helms are doffed, They ply their cups with mickle pride. Or sparkling mead, or spangling dew, With "nod, and beck, and wreathed smile," They heap their jewelled patines high; Nor want there mirthful airs the while To crown the festive revelry. A minstrel dwarf, in silk arrayed, And whilst a page at Oberon's knee "Health to our Sovereign! fill, brave boy, ""T was wrought within a wizard's mould, When signs and spells had happiest power ;Health to our king by wood and wold! Health to our queen in hall and bower!” They rise-the myriads rise, and shrill A sudden thought fires Musgrave's brain,— And snatches up that goblet bright! With three brave bounds the lawn he crossed, The fourth it seats him on his steed; “Now, Luath! or thy lord is lost Stretch to the stream with lightning speed!" 'Tis uproar all around, behind,— Leaps to his selle each screaming Fay, "The charmed cup is fairly tined, Stretch to the strife,- away! away!" As in a whirlwind forth they swept, -- - A thousand quivers round him rained "Joy to thy banner, bold Sir Knight! The forest cleared, he winds his horn,— His gallant Squires come pricking in. 'Tis dusk of day; - in Eden's towers The sound that from the stream ascends. It comes in murmurs up the stairs, And charms away the lady's cares, 66 And bids the mother's heart rejoice. Sleep sweetly, babe!" 't was heard to say; "But if the goblet break or fall, Farewell thy vantage in the fray! Farewell the luck of Eden-hall!" Though years on years have taken flight, Good-fortune's still the Musgrave's thrall; Hail to his vantage in the fight! All hail the LUCK OF EDEN-HALL! Literary Souvenir. |