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 — 

 Elves and Fairies, Neckans and Eelpies, 

 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 



