And all those airy shapes you now behold, Were human bodies once, and clothed with earthly mold: Our souls, not yet prepared for upper light, Till doomsday wander in the shades of night; This only holiday of all the year, We, privileged, in sunshine may appear; With songs and dance we celebrate the day, And with due honours usher in the May. At other times we reign by night alone, And posting through the skies pursue the moon; But when the morn arises, none are found, For cruel Demogorgon walks the round, And if he finds a fairy lag in light, He drives the wretch before, and lashes into night. All courteous are by kind; and ever proud With friendly offices to help the good. In every land we have a larger space Than what is known to you of mortal race; Where we with green adorn our fairy bowers, And even this grove, unseen before, is ours. Know farther; every lady clothed in white, And, crowned with oak and laurel every knight, Are servants to the leaf, by liveries known Of innocence; and I myself am one. Saw you not her so graceful to behold In white attire, and crowned with radiant gold? The sovereign lady of our land is she, Diana called, the queen of chastity; And, for the spotless name of maid she bears, That _Agnus castus_ in her hand appears; And all her train, with leafy chaplets crowned, Were for unblamed virginity renowned; But those the chief and highest in command Who bear those holy branches in their hand: The knights adorned with laurel crowns are they, } Whom death nor danger ever could dismay, } Victorious names, who made the world obey: } Who, while they lived, in deeds of arms excelled, And after death for deities were held. But those, who wear the woodbine on their brow, Were knights of love, who never broke their vow; Firm to their plighted faith, and ever free From fears, and fickle chance, and jealousy. The lords and ladies, who the woodbine bear, As true as Tristram and Isotta were.-- But what are those, said I, the unconquered nine, Who, crowned with laurel-wreaths, in golden armour shine? And who the knights in green, and what the train Of ladies dressed with daisies on the plain? Why both the bands in worship disagree, And some adore the flower, and some the tree?-- Just is your suit, fair daughter, said the dame: Those laurelled chiefs were men of mighty fame; Nine worthies were they called of different rites, Three Jews, three Pagans, and three Christian knights.[202] These, as you see, ride foremost in the field, } As they the foremost rank of honour held, } And all in deeds of chivalry excelled: } Their temples wreathed with leaves, that still renew, For deathless laurel is the victor's due. Who bear the bows were knights in Arthur's reign, Twelve they, and twelve the peers of Charlemain; For bows the strength of brawny arms imply,