Grant me a boon, queen, queen;
This is the boon that I ask—
Let me do service, mighty or mean,
Give me a task, a task.
Are there no jackanapes giants to slay?
Are there no dragons to fight?
Nothing shall daunt me by dark or by day;
Make me your goblin knight!
THE FAIRY QUEEN TO THE GOBLIN
Last night I heard a singing—a singing in my dreams,
It wandered through my land of sleep like little silver streams;
Like little purling silver streams that gently laugh and coo—
Goblin with the shining eyes, goblin, was it you?
Softer than the tender croon of my happy doves,
Sweeter than my nightingales pouring forth their loves,
Clearer than my valiant lark triumphant in the blue;
Goblin with the whimsic smile, goblin, was it you?
All night long the singer stayed close beside my bower,
Weaving his enchanted songs, till that magic hour
When the early morning light creeps across the dew;
Goblin with the steadfast heart, goblin, was it you?
FAIRIES IN AUTUMN
You perch upon the leaves where the trees are very high,
And you all shout together as the wind goes by;
The merry mad wind sets the leaves all afloat,
And off you go a-sailing in an airy wee boat.
You fly to the edges of a grim grey cloud,
And you all start a-dancing and a-singing very loud;
The cloud melts away in a shower of peevish rain
And you slide down from heaven on a slim silver chain.