Beside the old hall-fire — upon my nurse's knee, Of happy fairy days — what tales were told to me! I thought the world was once — all peopled with princesses, And my heart would beat to hear — their loves and their distresses:
And many a quiet night,— in slumber sweet and deep, The pretty fairy people — would visit me in sleep. I saw them in my dreams — come flying east and west, With wondrous fairy gifts — the newborn babe they bless'd;
One has brought a jewel — and one a crown of gold, And one has brought a curse — but she is wrinkled and old. The gentle queen turns pale — to hear those words of sin, But the king he only laughs — and bids the dance begin.
The babe has grown to be — the fairest of the land, And rides the forest green — a hawk upon her hand, An ambling palfrey white — a golden robe and crown: I've seen her in my dreams — riding up and down:
And heard the ogre laugh — as she fell into his snare, At the little tender creature — who wept and tore her hair! But ever when it seemed — her need was at the sorest, A prince in shining mail — comes prancing through the forest,
A waving ostrich-plume — a buckler burnished bright; I've seen him in my dreams — good sooth! a gallant knight. His lips are coral red — beneath a dark moustache; See how he waves his hand — and how his blue eyes flash!
“Come forth, thou Paynim knight!” — he shouts in accents clear. The giant and the maid — both tremble his voice to hear. Saint Mary guard him well!— he draws his falchion keen, The giant and the knight — are fighting on the green.
I see them in my dreams — his blade gives stroke on stroke, The giant pants and reels — and tumbles like an oak! With what a blushing grace — he falls upon his knee And takes the lady's hand — and whispers, “You are free!”
Ah! happy childish tales — of knight and faërie! I waken from my dreams — but there's ne'er a knight for me; I waken from my dreams — and wish that I could be A child by the old hall-fire — upon my nurse's knee!
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