_Third._ Three; Bloatling, Rudling, Loftling; she Loathes them all impartially. The first is ugly, fat, and rich, Grandson of a miser witch; He sends her bossy peonies, Fat as himself, to please her eyes, And double poppies, mock flow’rs made In clumsy gold, for brag display’d; Ten of the broadest shoulder’d elves To carry one must strain themselves. _First._ Aye! so I’ve seen them. _Second._ This is more Than I ever heard before. _Third._ Field-marshal Rudling, soldier fay, His beard a broom to sweep away Opposition, with his frown Biddeth common fairies, “Down! Down on your knees!” and then his smile, Our lovely Lady’s heart to wile— Soft as a rat-trap! and his voice— Angry jay makes no such noise When bold marauders threat (as you, Little Jinkling, sometimes do) Her freckled eggs. _Fourth._ And Loftling? _Third._ True, Prince Loftling’s chin, so grand is he, Is where another’s nose would be; His proud backbone the wrong way bends With nobleness. He condescends To come in state to our poor wood; And then ’tis always understood We silence every prattling bird, Nor must one grasshopper be heard; Which tasks our people; she, meanwhile, Our Lady, half dead with his vile Ceremonial and precision,— “Madam, with your august permission, I have the honour to remark— Ah hum! ah haw!” from dawn to dark. _Fourth._ He will not win her! _Third._ No, no, no! Dreary the wood if that were so, Good stranger. But enough, I ween, Of gossip now. _Fourth._ Kind Caps o’ Green, I thank ye for your courtesies! Brightkin’s my name, my country lies Round that blue peak your scout espies From loftiest fir-tree on the skies Of sunset. So I take my leave Till the drawing-on of eve. _First._ They call me Rosling, gentle fay. Adieu! forget not; here I’ll stay To meet thee and to show the way. _All._ Adieu! adieu! till close of day. THE NOON CALL. Hear the call! Fays, be still! Noon is deep On vale and hill. Stir no sound The Forest round! Let all things hush That fly or creep,— Tree and bush, Air and ground! Hear the call! Silence keep! One and all Hush and sleep! NEAR SUNSET. _Two Fairies_: ROSLING and JINKLING.