Long while this strife engaged the pretty band;

But now bold Chanticleer, from farm to farm,

Challenged the dawn creeping o'er eastern land,

And well the fairies knew that shrill alarm,

Which sounds the knell of every elfish charm.

CXXVI.

And soon the rolling mist, that 'gan arise

From plashy mead and undiscover'd stream,

Earth's morning incense to the early skies,

Crept o'er the failing landscape of my dream.