SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF
Death, that dark death!
To leave the sunlight and the flowers for ever!
I cannot bear it! Oh, I cannot tell them.
I'll wait—perhaps the great King will come home,
If not—Oh, hark, a wandering minstrel's voice?
OBERON
Who is drawing hither? Listen, fairies, listen!
[Song heard approaching thro' the wood.]
Knight on the narrow way,
Where wouldst thou ride?
"Onward," I heard him say,
"Love, to thy side!"
"Nay," sang a bird above;
"Stay, for I see
Death in the mask of love,
Waiting for thee."
[The song breaks off. Enter a Minstrel, leading a great white steed. He pauses, confronted by the fairy host. The moonlight dazzles him.]
SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF
Minstrel, art thou, too, free of fairyland?
Where wouldst thou ride? What is thy name?