Since long ago, a child at home, I read and longed to rise and roam, Where'er I went, whate'er I willed, One promised land my fancy filled.
Hence the long roads my home I made; Tossed much in ships; have often laid Below the uncurtained sky my head, Rain-deluged and wind-buffeted:
And many a thousand hills I crossed And corners turned — Love's labour lost, Till, Lady, to your isle of sun I came not hoping; and, like one
Snatched out of blindness, rubbed my eyes, And hailed my promised land with cries. Yes, Lady, here I was at last; Here found I all I had forecast:
The long roll of the sapphire sea That keeps the land's virginity; The stalwart giants of the wood Laden with toys and flowers and food;
The precious forest pouring out To compass the whole town about; The town itself with streets of lawn, Loved of the moon, blessed by the dawn,
Where the brown children all the day, Keep up a ceaseless noise of play, Play in the sun, play in the rain, Nor ever quarrel or complain;—
And late at night, in the woods of fruit, Hark I do you hear the passing flute? I threw one look to either hand, And knew I was in Fairyland.
And yet one point of being so I lacked. For, Lady ( as you know ), Whoever by his might of hand Won entrance into Fairyland,
Found always with admiring eyes A Fairy princess kind and wise. It was not long I waited; soon Upon my threshold, in broad noon,
Gracious and helpful, wise and good, The Fairy Princess Moë stood.
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