His mountain back mote well be said To measure height against his head, Yet spite of all that nature did To make his uncouth form forbid, He felt the charm of Edith's eyes, But one Sir Topaz dress'd with art, Edwin, if right I read my song, 'Twas near an old enchanted court, His heart was drear, his hope was cross'd, 'Twas late, 'twas far, the path was lost That reach'd the neighbour-town; With weary steps he quits the shades, Resolv'd, the darkling dome he treads, And drops his limbs adown. But scant he lays him on the floor, When hollow winds remove the door, A trembling rocks the ground: On all the walls around. Now sounding tongues assail his ear, But (trust me gentles!) never yet The country lent the sweet perfumes, Now while he gaz'd, a gallant dress "What mortal of a wretched mind, At this the swain, whose vent'rous soul No fears of magic art control, "Nor have I cause of dreed," he said, "'Twas grief for scorn of faithful love, Which made my steps unweeting rove Amid the nightly dew." ""Tis well-❞ the gallant cries again, "Exalt thy love-dejected heart, Be mine the task, or ere we part Now take the pleasure of thy chaunce; He spoke, and all a sudden there The monarch leads the queen? With Edwin of the Green. The dauncing past, the board was laid, As heart and lip desire. Withouten hands the dishes fly, But now to please the fairie king, Some wind and tumble like an ape, Till one at last, that Robin hight, Has hent him up aloof; And full against the beam he flung, From thence, "Reverse my charm!" he cries, "And let it fairly now suffice The gambol has been shown." But Oberon answers with a smile, "Content thee, Edwin, for a while, The vantage is thine own." Here ended all the phantom play; They smelt the fresh approach of day, And heard a cock to crow; The whirling wind that bore the crowd Has clapp'd the door, and whistled loud, To warn them all to go. Then screaming all at once they fly, Poor Edwin falls to floor; Forlorn his state, and dark the place, But soon as Dan Apollo rose, Which made him want success. With lusty livelyhed he talks, His story soon took wind; And beauteous Edith sees the youth Endow'd with courage, sense, and truth, Without a hunch behind. |