Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, WATER LILIES; A FAIRY SONG, by FELICIA DOROTHEA HEMANS


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

WATER LILIES; A FAIRY SONG, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Come away, elves! While the dew is sweet
Last Line: And the life of the lily may not be long.
Alternate Author Name(s): Browne, Felicia Dorothea
Subject(s): Fairies; Flowers; Lilies; Elves


COME away, elves! -- while the dew is sweet,
Come to the dingles where fairies meet!
Know that the lilies have spread their bells
O'er all the pools in our forest dells;
Stilly and lightly their vases rest
On the quivering sleep of the water's breast,
Catching the sunshine through leaves that throw
To their scented bosoms an emerald glow;
And a star from the depth of each pearly cup,
A golden star unto heaven looks up,
As if seeking its kindred where bright they lie,
Set in the blue of the summer sky.
Come away! Under arching boughts we'll float,
Making those urns each a fairy boat;
We'll row them with reeds o'er the fountains free,
And a tall flag-leaf shall our streamer be;
And we'll send out wild music so sweet and low,
It shall seem from the bright flower's heart to flow,
As if 'twere a breeze with a flute's low sigh,
Or water-drops trained into melody.
Come away! for the midsummer sun grows strong,
And the life of the lily may not be long.





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