The crowd gave way, as onward bore
That vision from the Land of Dreams;
Veil'd was the gentle rider's face,
But not the two her path that grace.
How dim beside the charms they wore
All human beauty seems!
So to the throne the pageant came,
And thus the Fairy to the King:
"Not unto thee for ever dear,
By minstrel's song, to knighthood's ear
Beseems the wrath that wrongs the vow,
Which hallows ev'n a name.
"Bloom there no flowers more sweet by night?
Come, Queen, before the judgment throne;
Behold Sir Elvar's nameless bride!
Now, Queen, his doom thyself decide."
She raised her veil,—and all her light
Of beauty round them shone!
The bloom, the eyes, the locks, the smile,
That never earth nor time could dim;—
Day grew more bright, and air more clear,
As Heaven itself were brought more near.—
And oh! his joy, who felt, the while,
That light but glow'd for him!
"My steed, my lance, vain Champion, now
To arms: and Heaven defend the right!"—
Here spake the Queen, "The strife is past,"
And in the Lists her glove she cast,
"And I myself will crown thy brow,
Thou love-defended Knight!"
He comes to claim the garland crown;
The changeful thousands shout his name;
And faithless beauty round him smiled,
How cold, beside the Forest's Child,
Who ask'd not love to bring renown,
And clung to love in shame!
He bears the prize to those dear feet:
"Not mine the guerdon! oh, not mine!"
Sadly the fated Fairy hears,
And smiles through unreproachful tears;
"Nay, keep the flowers, and be they sweet
When I—no more am thine!"
She lower'd the veil, she turn'd the rein,
And ere his lips replied, was gone.
As on she went her charmèd way,
No mortal dared the steps to stay:
And when she vanish'd from the plain
All space seem'd left alone!
Oh, woe! that fairy shape no more
Shall bless thy love nor rouse thy pride!
He seeks the wood, he gains the spot—
The Tree is there, the Fountain not;—
Dried up:—its mirthful play is o'er.
Ah, where the Fairy Bride?
Alas, with fairies as with men,
Who love are victims from the birth!
A fearful doom the fairy shrouds,
If once unveil'd by day to crowds.
The Fountain vanish'd from the glen,
The Fairy from the earth!