THE FAIRY'S SEARCH. 33 



To such the Earth is ever fair, 



To such its fields and flowers 



Still wear the hues of beauty bright. 



The radient charm, the glorious light 



That shone on Eden's bowers ; 



And such, however low their lot. 



However circumscrib'd the spot 



They call their home, may walk the Earth 



Proud in the consciousness of worth. 



And freely claim a kindred tie 



With the angelic host on high. 



A strange, a sad and solemn sight 



Now meets the Fairy's gaze. 



It seemeth as if sudden night 



Had veil'd the noon-tide's blaze. 



Low, dark and gloomy are the walls. 



From whence the noisome moisture falls : 



A heap of straw the only bed 



For the unhappy captive spread ; 



A tatter'd garb his sole array 



To keep the chilling damps away ; 



His shrunken limbs, in fetters bound, 



Move not without a clanking sound 



That echoes dismally around. 



But e'en in this degraded state. 



He shows a lingering remnant yet 



Of feelings meet for happier fate. 



Crouch'd on the floor, just where a ray 



Of sickly sun-shine makes its way 



Thro' grating small, his fingers clasp, 



With energy'? convulsive grasp, 



A few frail flowers. How they had found 



