FAIRYLAND IN MIDSUMMER.
Reading edition
Shall I tell you how one day Into Fairyland we went? Fairy folk were all about, Filling us with glad content; For we came as worshippers Into Nature’s temple grand, And the fairies welcome such With the freedom of the land. Through the green-roofed aisles we went, Passing with a careful tread, For beside our happy feet Purple orchis raised its head; And behind, the blue-bells hung, Fading now like ghosts at morn, Here and there a white one bent, Like a ‘maiden all forlorn.’ From the bank across our way Ragged Robin flaunted red, And athwart a narrow trench Feathery ferns their shadows spread. Fair white campion from the hedge Raised its starry petals chaste, And the fragile speedwell blue Bade us on our journey haste. Haste? For why? We sought the pool Where the water-lilies bloom, And we found it ere the night, Hidden in a leafy gloom; All around like sentinels Yellow iris stood on guard, Keeping o’er the virgin queens Ever faithful watch and ward. Like pale queens the lilies white On their leafy couches lay, Where no wanton hand could reach, No disloyal foot could stray. Lovingly we bade adieu To each golden-hearted queen, And stepped out to where the heath Laughed to heaven in robe of green. Here we gathered treasure-trove— Eyebright, milkwort, cuckoo-shoes— Till our baskets, overfull, Many a precious bud must lose; Till the sunset glory fell On the blossoms in our hand, And, with lingering glances, we Bade farewell to Fairyland. Florence Tylee.
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