Read "The Fay" by Francis Neilson online for free on Textopian. Full text with search, annotations, highlights, and AI-powered reading aids.
In blue, cerise, and grey, / A dainty, bonnie thing -- / No mortal -- just a fay, / From elfin glades astray, / With joys the swallows bring / When they come back with spring.
She came with lovely mien -- / The charms of fairy's art -- / No winsomer was seen, / Not Titania, her queen.
She flew into my heart / To rest, and ne'er depart.
My heart is beating high -- / The fay is singing there.
Blest tenant, tell me why, / Of mortals, why am I / The happy one to dare / Make captive, fay so rare?
She answered in a song, -- / So soft and sweet the tune -- / "Pray, why? Have I done wrong / To hide in heart so strong?
Where I may place the boon / Of all the joys of June?"
Oh, winsome, witching sprite, / Who like a mortal came, / In robe of tender light, / To make my hours so bright; / Who brought me Love's dear fame, / To warm me at its flame.