Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, FINVARRAH (TO WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS), by NORA (CHESSON) HOPPER


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

FINVARRAH (TO WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS), by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: I am the king of faery
Last Line: And set your kind doors wide
Subject(s): Fairies


I am the King of Faery:

A thousand years ago

My elfin mother bore me
I am the King of Faery:

Between the snow and snow.
My elfin mother bore me

A thousand years ago
- Lightly, as fairies may -
To rule" a doubtful country
My elfin mother bore me

Between the dusk and day.
I am the King of Faery:

And wise I am, and old,
Between the snow and snow.
And of my fairy wisdom
My elfin mother bore me

A thousand hands take hold.
But those that seek my helping

Are glad, for all their care.
- Lightly, as fairies may -
To rule" a doubtful country
My thousand years of wisdom
'Lie dark upon my hair.

I am the King of Faery :

And none there is so gay
Between the dusk and day.

Among my gentle people
That dance the dews away.

I am the King of Faery:
I am the King of Faery

And none there is so sad,

Though Una is my ladv
And Aodh my serving-lad.
And wise I am, and old,
And of my fairy wisdom
I am the King of Faery,

And I, and all my kin,

May neither weep for sorrow,
A thousand hands take hold.
May neither serve nor sin.
Bur we shall fade as dewdrops
But those that seek my helping
That morning; sun has dried :


So serve us who have served you,
And set your kind doors wide.
Are glad, for all their care.

My thousand years of wisdom





'Lie dark upon my hair.


I am the King of Faery:
And none there is so gay


Among my gentle people
That dance the dews away.






I am the King of Faery
And none there is so sad,


Though Una is my ladv
And Aodh my serving-lad.


I am the King of Faery,


And I, and all my kin,
May neither weep for sorrow,


May neither serve nor sin.
Bur we shall fade as dewdrops


That morning; sun has dried:
So serve us who have served you,


And set your kind doors wide.






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