Classic Poem

Nigh , to where Grayrigg's ancient hall
Yet stands, as country legends tell,
And hoary-headed swains have heard,
The fairy people lov'd to dwell:

There oft their midnight feats they held,
In stately domes beneath the ground,
And by the glow-worm's paly lamp
They push'd the sparkling goblets round.

The savoury mushrooms were their food,
Pluck'd the same night on which they grew,
And from their tiny silver cups,
They sipp'd the pure ambrosial dew;

And where beneath the greenwood shade,
Their light feet nimbly tripp'd the ground,
Small circles of a deeper green
Full oft the wondering peasant found.

It chanc'd one beauteous moonlight night,
The loveliest night of autumn's reign,
The fairy people had arrang'd
Their silver cups, a glittering train.

Beneath a shelt'ring bank which rose
Expos'd too near the highway side,
A horseman as he pass'd that way,
The shining treasure quickly spied.

Long pausing on the tempting spoil,
He gaz'd with wond'ring, longing, eyes;
Then fearless leapt the fence and seiz'd,
With daring hands, the curious prize.

O'er hedge and ditch away he rode,
With speed that almost match'd the wind;
The elfin bands with hue and cry,
Still kept pursuing close behind.

Ere he had reach'd the massy gate
Which led to Grayrigg's aged hall,
The elves had quite outsripp'd his speed,
And stood around him one and all.

Whilst with their wands they struck his steed,
With stern and threat'ning voice they said,
" Fail thou thy master in his need,
" Our vengeance he shall learn to dread. "

One night when rain in torrents fell,
And each swol'n rivulet's furious tide
Rush'd wildly roaring down its glen,
And pour'd its foam on every side.

The pilferer, who'd a ford to cross,
Of fairy vengeance nought did dream,
But urg'd his slow, unwilling, steed,
To plunge into the rapid stream.

But fairy vengeance now was nigh,
Unheard, unseen, they hover'd round,
When the rash man the stream essay'd,
His steed an unsafe footing found;

It fell alas to rise no more,
Its master call'd for aid in vain;
Long, long, he struggled with the waves,
Fearful the brink he ne'er should gain.

When faint he reach'd the further side,
His perils and his dangers o'er,
He vow'd he'd ne'er tread fairy ground
Nor touch their glitt'ring trifles more.