" At this the swain, whose vent'rous soul No fears of magic art control, Advanc'd in open sight; "Nor have I cause of dreed," he said, Who view, by no presumption led, Your revels of the night. "'Twas grief, for scorn of faithful love, Which made my steps unweeting rove Amid the nightly dew." ""Tis well-❞ the gallant cries again, We fairies never injure men Who dare to tell us true. "Exalt thy love-dejected heart, Be mine the task, or ere we part To make thee grief resign; Now take the pleasure of thy chaunce; Whilst I with Mab, my partner, daunce, Be little Mable thine." He spoke, and all a sudden there The monarch leads the queen: With Edwin of the Green. The dauncing past, the board was laid, As heart and lip desire. But now to please the fairie king, Some wind and tumble like an ape, Till one at last, that Robin hight, Has hent him up aloof; And full against the beam he flung, From thence, "Reverse my charm!" he cries, "And let it fairly now suffice The gambol has been shown." But Oberon answers with a smile, "Content thee, Edwin, for a while, The vantage is thine own." At this the swain, whose vent'rous soul No fears of magic art control, Advanc'd in open sight; "Nor have I cause of dreed," he said, "Who view, by no presumption led, Your revels of the night. "'Twas grief, for scorn of faithful love, Which made my steps unweeting rove Amid the nightly dew." ""Tis well-" the gallant cries again, "Exalt thy love-dejected heart, Be mine the task, or ere we part To make thee grief resign; Now take the pleasure of thy chaunce; Whilst I with Mab, my partner, daunce, Be little Mable thine." He spoke, and all a sudden there The monarch leads the queen: With Edwin of the Green. The dauncing past, the board was laid, As heart and lip desire. But now to please the fairie king, Some wind and tumble like an ape, Till one at last, that Robin hight, And full against the beam he flung, From thence, "Reverse my charm!" he cries, "And let it fairly now suffice The gambol has been shown." But Oberon answers with a smile, Here ended all the phantom play; The whirling wind that bore the crowd Then screaming all at once they fly, Poor Edwin falls to floor; Forlorn his state, and dark the place. But soon as Dan Apollo rose, With lusty livelyhed he talks, And beauteous Edith sees the youth Endow'd with courage, sense, and truth, Without a bunch behind. |