FOREST, LAKE, AND RIVER 



Unto them the Lady Fay, 

 In a second, stole her way, 

 And she found their souls had fled. 



But they looked so splendid still, 

 In the moonlight silver-pale, 

 That the Lady had a will 

 Not to leave their bodies there 

 For the carrion kites to tear, 

 Or the rust to dim their mail. 



So she waved her moonbeam wand, 

 Said : ' ' Brave wights, I change ye so ; 

 Be ye fish in yonder pond, 

 Mailed in beauty, armed with spikes ; 

 And till Time s last moment strikes, 

 Wander lightly to and fro ! " 



Then to swordsmen of the pond, 

 That sweet Night of Long Ago, 

 Were they by the Fairy fond 

 Thus resolved — their steely glints 

 Banded round with dusky tints, 

 Ridged with webs of golden glow. 



And in Summer s fairy nights, 

 Or its dreamy days, we still 

 Can evoke those charmed wights. 

 If must, let our lines descend 

 'Neath green pads, where bushes bend, 

 By some pond or ancient mill; 

 88 



