172 THE BEAUTIES OF NATURE CHAP, 
Of all the gods and goddesses of classical 
mythology or our own folk-lore, none were 
more fascinating than the Nature Spirits — 
Klves and Fairies, Neckans and _ Kelpies, 
Pixies and Ouphes, Mermaids, Undines, Water 
Spirits, and all the Elfin world 
Which have their haunts in dale and piny mountain, 
Or forests, by slow stream or tingling brook. 
They come out, as we are told, especially on 
moonlight nights. But while evening thus 
clothes many a scene with poetry, forests are 
fairy land all day long. 
Almost any wood contains many and many 
a spot well suited for Fairy feasts; where one 
might most expect to find Titania, resting, as 
once we are told, 
She lay upon a bank, the favourite haunt 
Of the Spring wind in its first sunshine hour, 
For the luxuriant strawberry blossoms spread 
Like a snow shower then, and violets 
Bowed down their purple vases of perfume — 
About her pillow, — linked in a gay band 
Floated fantastic shapes ; these were her guards, 
Her lithe and rainbow elves. 
The fairies have disappeared, and, so far as 
