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232 was the matter, and bewailed their folly; for they foresaw that their kind neighbours, to whom they owed all their luck were gone for ever. Among the bystanders none told a wilder story than the old ferryman who plied across the river at the foot of the grove; he told how at midnight his boat was carried away, and how hundreds of little beings seemed to load it with treasures; how a strange piece of gold was left for him in the boat, as his fare; how the air seemed full of fairy forms fluttering around; and how at last a great train passed over that seemed to be guarding their leader to the meadows on the other side; and how he heard soft music floating around as they flew; and how sweet voices sang as they hovered over his head,

Fairy Queen! Fairy Queen! Mortal steps are on the green; Come away! Haste away! Fairies, guard your Queen! Hither, hither, fairy Queen! Lest thy silvery wing be seen; O'er the sky Fly, fly, fly! Fairies, guard your lady Queen! O'er the sky Fly, fly, fly! Fairies, guard your Queen!

Fairy Queen! Fairy Queen! Thou hast pass'd the treach'rous scene; Now we may Down and play O'er the daisied green. Lightly, lightly, fairy Queen! Trip it gently o'er the green: