66 A FAIRY VISION. 



Can paint their beauty, and no things of sight 



Display their matchless elegance of shape 



The purest cloud that gems the summer sky 



When slightly tinged with sunset's softest rose 



To their bright features has the grossest hue. 



All flowers of earth which rear their heads on high 



In healthful sprightliness, or pensive hang 



Their tinted loveliness in modest guise 



Compared with them no comliness possess. 



Soft Zephyr wantoning amidst the meads 



In gentle gambols, whilst the playful grass 



Scarce bends beneath his foot, stirs not so light 



Nor in his rapid gliding step betrays 



Such lovely grace of motion. Twilight skies 



Transparent with their fervid glow of light. 



Like rosy crystal arching o'er the earth. 



Seems likest to the fine etherial mould. 



Of which their delicate proportioned limbs 



Are softly framed. Their high expanded brows 



Bear locks of golden gleam, in curling waves 



Descending o'er their shoulders. Rays of light. 



Like glory circling round the setting sun, 



Shine o'er their radiant foreheads. Vestures gemmed 



With starry lights beyond the glow-worm lamp. 



Of texture finer than the gossamer. 



Gird round their lucid waists and waving flow 



In twining folds, with flutterings more light 



Than rosebuds dancing in the morning's breeze. 



Rich pearly crowns, inlaid with flowery gold. 



Invest their brows ; and their pure, peerless hands 



Bear sceptres white, indicative of sway. 



These tiny people so refined of fiume 

 In sportive revels wile their joyful hours; 

 Yet is their life of glad festivity. 

 Oft varied with some sweet delightful task. 



