A lake and a fairy boat
To sail in the moonlight clear,
And merrily we would float
From the dragons that watch us here!
Thy gown should be snow-white silk,
And strings of orient pearls,
Like gossamers dipp'd in milk,
Should twine with thy raven curls.
Red rubies should deck thy hands,
And diamonds should be thy dower--
But fairies have broke their wands,
And wishing has lost its power!
_The Plea of the Midsummer Fairies and other Poems_.
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