Bliss Carman, et al., eds. The World’s Best Poetry.
Volume VI. Fancy. 1904. | | | | Poems of Fancy: II. Fairies: Elves: Sprites | | The Fairies’ Lullaby | | William Shakespeare (1564–1616) |
| | From “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” Act II. Sc. 2. Enter T ITANIA, with her train. |
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TITANIA.—Come, now a roundel, and a fairy song; | |
| Then, for the third part of a minute, hence;— | |
| Some, to kill cankers in the musk-rose buds; | |
| Some war with rear-mice for their leathern wings, | |
| To make my small elves coats; and some keep back | 5 |
| The clamorous owl, that nightly hoots, and wonders | |
| At our quaint spirits. Sing me now asleep; | |
| Then to your offices, and let me rest. | |
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SONG. 1 FAIRY.—You spotted snakes, with double tongue, | |
| Thorny hedgehogs, be not seen; | 10 |
| Newts and blind-worms, do no wrong: | |
| Come not near our fairy queen. | |
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| CHORUS. Philomel, with melody, | |
| Sing in our sweet lullaby; | |
| Lulla, lulla, lullaby; lulla, lulla, lullaby: | 15 |
| Never harm, | |
| Nor spell nor charm, | |
| Come our lovely lady nigh; | |
| So, good-night, with lullaby. | |
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| 2 FAIRY.—Weaving spiders, come not here, | 20 |
| Hence, you long-legged spinners, hence! | |
| Beetles black, approach not near; | |
| Worm, nor snail, do no offence. | |
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| CHORUS. Philomel, with melody, etc. | |
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| 1 FAIRY.—Hence away; now all is well: | 25 |
| One, aloof, stand sentinel. [Exeunt Fairies. TITANIA sleeps. | | | |
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