Madison Cawein - The Fairy Rade lyrics

I. Ai me! why stood I on the bent When Summer wept o'er dying June! I saw the Fairy Folk ride faint Aneath the moon. II. The haw-trees hedged the russet lea Where cuckoo-buds waxed rich with gold; The wealthy corn rose yellowly Endlong the wold. III. Betwixt the haw-trees and the mead "The Fairy Rade" came glimmering on; A creamy cavalcade did speed O'er the green lawn. IV. The night was ringing with their reins; Loud laughed they till the cricket hushed; The whistles on their coursers' manes Shrill music gushed. V. The whistles tagged their horses' manes All crystal clear; on these a wind Forever played, and waked the plains Before, behind. VI. These flute-notes and the Fairy song Took the dim holts with many a qualm, And eke their silver bridles rung A far-off psalm. VII. All rid upon pale ouphen steeds With flying tails, uncouthly seen; Each wore a scarf athwart his weeds Of freshest green. VIII. And aye a beam of silver light Fairer than moonshine danced aboon, And shook their locks—a glimmering white Not of the moon. IX. Small were they that the hare-bell's blue Had helmeted each tiny head; Save one damsel, who, tall as two, The Faeries led. X. Long tresses floated from a tire Of diamond sparks, which cast a light, And o'er her white sark shook, in fire Rippling the night. XI. I would have thrown me 'neath her feet, And told her all my dole and pain, There while her rein was jingling sweet O'er all the plain. XII. Alas! a black and thwarting co*k Crew from the thatch with long-necked cry— The Elfin queen and her wee flock In the night did die.