Ballads

Fairy Days

Beside the old hall-fire--upon my nurse's knee,

Of happy fairy days--what tales were told to me!

I thought the world was once--all peopled with princesses,

And my heart would beat to hear--their loves and their distresses:

And many a quiet night,--in slumber sweet and deep,

The pretty fairy people--would visit me in sleep.

I saw them in my dreams--come flying east and west,

With wondrous fairy gifts--the newborn babe they bless'd;

One has brought a jewel--and one a crown of gold,

And one has brought a curse--but she is wrinkled and old.

The gentle queen turns pale--to hear those words of sin,

But the king he only laughs--and bids the dance begin.

The babe has grown to be--the fairest of the land,

And rides the forest green--a hawk upon her hand,

An ambling palfrey white--a golden robe and crown:

I've seen her in my dreams--riding up and down:

And heard the ogre laugh--as she fell into his snare,

At the little tender creature--who wept and tore her hair!

But ever when it seemed--her need was at the sorest,

A prince in shining mail--comes prancing through the forest,

A waving ostrich-plume--a buckler burnished bright;

I've seen him in my dreams--good sooth! a gallant knight.

His lips are coral red--beneath a dark moustache;

See how he waves his hand--and how his blue eyes flash!

"Come forth, thou Paynim knight!"--he shouts in accents clear.

The giant and the maid--both tremble his voice to hear.

Saint Mary guard him well!--he draws his falchion keen,

The giant and the knight--are fighting on the green.

I see them in my dreams--his blade gives stroke on stroke,

The giant pants and reels--and tumbles like an oak!

With what a blushing grace--he falls upon his knee

And takes the lady's hand--and whispers, "You are free!"

Ah! happy childish tales--of knight and fa***!

I waken from my dreams--but there's ne'er a knight for me;

I waken from my dreams--and wish that I could be

A child by the old hall-fire--upon my nurse's knee!