FAIRIES AND THEIR FLOWER LORE 129 



After the Reformation, the behef in fairies in 

 England (in common with that of angels) suffered 

 a severe decline; in fact, it would almost seem that, 

 in the words of Bishop Corbett, Bishop of Oxford 

 and Norwich early in the seventeenth century, 

 they were " banished for their religion." 



" Lament, lament, old abbies, 



The Fairies' lost command; 

 They did but change priests' babies, 



But some have changed your land; 

 And all your children sprung from hence 



Are now grown Puritans, 

 Who live as changelings ever since 



For love of your domains. 



" Witness those rings and roundelays 



Of theirs, which yet remain. 

 Were footed, in Queen Mary's days, 



On many a grassy plain; 

 But since of late Elizabeth, 



And later James came in. 

 They never danced on any heath, 



As when the time hath bin. 



" By which we note the fairies 

 Were of the old profession, 

 Their songs were Ave Marias, 



Their dances were procession. 

 But now, alas ! they all are dead. 



Or gone beyond the seas; 

 Or farther for religion fled. 

 Or else they take their ease." 



The Fairies^ Farewell 



