DOUBT NO MORE THAT OBERON

Doubt no more that Oberon — Never doubt that Pan Lived, and played a reed, and ran After nymphs in a dark forest,

In the merry, credulous days,— Lived, and led a fairy band Over the indulgent land! Ah, for in this dourest, sorest

Age man's eye has looked upon, Death to fauns and death to fays, Still the dog-wood dares to raise — Healthy tree, with trunk and root —

Ivory bowls that bear no fruit, And the starlings and the jays — Birds that cannot even sing — Dare to come again in spring!