Page:An English Garner Ingatherings from Our History and Literature (Volume 1 1877).pdf/25

 Vice-Admiral Sir JOHN MENNIS

or

Rev. JAMES SMITH.

King OBERON'S apparel.

[Musarum Delicue.]

When the monthly hornèd queen Grew jealous, that the stars had seen Her rising from ENDYMION'S arms; In rage she threw her misty charms Into the bosom of the night; To dim their curious prying light.

Then did the dwarfish fairy elves— Having first attired themselves— Prepare to dress their OBERON, king, In highest robes, for revelling.

In a cobweb shirt, more thin Than ever spider since could spin; Bleached by the whiteness of the snow, As the stormy winds did blow It in the vast and freezing air. No shirt half so fine! so fair!

A rich waistcoat they did bring, Made of the trout fly's gilded wing: At that, his Elfship 'gan to fret, Swearing it would make him sweat, Even with its weight; and needs would wear His waistcoat wove of downy hair New shaven from an eunuch's chin. That pleased him well; 'twas wondrous thin!