Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, FAIRY'S ANSWER; TO MRS. GREVILLE'S PRAYER FOR INDIFFERENCE, by ISABELLA (BYRON) HOWARD


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

FAIRY'S ANSWER; TO MRS. GREVILLE'S PRAYER FOR INDIFFERENCE, by                    
First Line: Without preamble, to my friend / these hasty lines I'm bid to send
Last Line: Imprinted on my mind.
Alternate Author Name(s): Carlisle, Countess Of
Subject(s): Greville, Francis (fanny) (1724-1789); Poetry & Poets; Reason; Intellect; Rationalism; Brain; Mind; Intellectuals


Without preamble, to my friend
These hasty lines I'm bid to send,
Or give, if I am able:
I dare not hesitate to say,
Though I have trembled all the day --
It looks so like a fable.

Last night's adventure is my theme;
And should it strike you as a dream,
Yet soon its high import
Must make you own the matter such,
So delicate, it were too much
To be composed in sport.

The moon did shine serenely bright,
And every star did deck the night,
While zephyr fann'd the trees;
No more assail'd my mind's repose,
Save that yon stream, which murmuring flows,
Did echo to the breeze.

Enwrapt in solemn thoughts I sate,
Resolving o'er the turns of fate,
Yet void of hope or fear;
When lo! behold an airy throng,
With lightest steps and jocund song,
Surprised my eye and ear.

A form superior to the rest
His little voice to me address'd,
And gently thus began:
"I've heard strange things from one of you,
"Pray tell me if you think 't is true;
"Explain it, if you can.

"Such incense has perfum'd my throne!
"Such eloquence my heart has won!
"I think I guess the hand:
"I know her wit and beauty too,
"But why she sends a prayer so new,
"I cannot understand.

"To light some flames, and some revive,
"To keep some other just alive,
"Full oft I am implor'd;
"But with peculiar power to please,
"To supplicate for nought but ease!
"'T is odd, upon my word!

"Tell her, with fruitless care I've sought:
"And though my realms, with wonders fraught,
"In remedies abound,
"No grain of cold Indifference
"Was ever yet allied to sense
"In all my fairy round.

"The regions of the sky I'd trace,
"I'd ransack every earthly place,
"Each leaf, each herb, each flower,
"To mitigate the pangs of fear,
"Dispel the clouds of black despair,
"Or lull the restless hour.

"I would be generous as I'm just;
"But I obey, as others must,
"Those laws which fate has made.
"My tiny kingdom how defend,
"And what might be the horrid end,
"Should man my state invade?

"'T would put your mind into a rage,
"And such unequal war to wage,
"Suits not my royal duty!
"I dare not change a first decree;
"She's doom'd to please, nor can be free,
"Such is the lot of Beauty!"

This said, he darted o'er the plain,
And after follow'd all his train;
No glimpse of him I find:
But sure I am, the little sprite
These words, before he took his flight,
Imprinted on my mind.





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net