All hungry as young hawks, How the toast and butter “walks,” With legs of fowl down hunters’ throats, who seem’d just now half dead; But soon they laugh and shout, Eat and drink, and loll about. Till at last with laughing kisses they all troop off to bed. But where to sleep none knew, For the cottage was but small, Yet by Dame Grey’s arrangement There was room enough for all. Three slept upon the floor Of the largest room upstairs, And in the parlour, four, On sofa, rug, and chairs. The night was warm and pleasant— One filled the window seat; And two slept in the summer-house— And, oh, it was so sweet! Within a very little nook Toody always slept alone; Its strip of window stole a look Over the lawn and hay-rick cone. Within the open lattice crept Some jasmine from the cottage wall, And to the breathing of her sleep, Softly swayed, with rise and fall. But something else comes creeping in, As softly from the starry night,— The Elf!—’tis he!—first peeping in, Now like a moth doth he alight! He trips up to the little bed, And near it hangs a full-blown rose, Then in the middle of the flower Places a light that gleams and glows. It is a glow-worm from the lea, And lighting up the rose’s heart, A fairy grot it seems to be— Where dream-thoughts live and ne’er depart. And now the Elf once more is gone Into the woodlands wild, Leaving his blessing thus to shine Upon the dreaming child. R. H. HORNE. TWO FAIRIES IN A GARDEN. 1. “Whither goest, brother Elf?” 2. “The sun is weak—to warm myself In a thick red tulip’s core. Whither thou?” 1. “Till day be o’er, To the dim and deep snow-palace Of the closest lily-chalice, Where is veil’d the light of noon To be like my Lady’s moon. Thou art of the day, I ween?” 2. “Yet I not disown our Queen, Nor at Lysc’ am backward found, When the mighty Feast comes round; When She spreads abroad her power To proclaim a midnight hour For the pale blue Fays like thee And the ruddy Elves like me To mingle in a charmèd ring With a perfect welcoming; Guarded from the moon-stroke cold, And wisp that scares us on the wold.”