Fear no more the lightning-flash
Nor the all-dreaded thunder-stone ;
Fear not slander, censure rash;
Thou hast finish'd joy and moan :
All lovers young, all lovers must
Consign to thee, and come to dust.

No exorciser harm thee !
Nor no witchcraft charm thee!
Ghost unlaid forbear thee !
Nothing ill come near thee !
Quiet consummation have;

And renowned be thy grave!

XXIII

THE FAIRY LIFE

I

WHERE the bee sucks, there suck I:

In a cowslip's bell I lie ;

There I couch when owls do cry.

On the bat's back I do fly

After summer merrily.

Merrily, merrily shall I live now,

Under the blossom that hangs on the bough.

II

Come unto these yellow sands,

And then take hands:

Courtsied when you have and kiss'd

The wild waves whist,

Foot it featly here and there ;

And, sweet Sprites, the burthen bear :

Hark, hark!

Bow-wow.

The watch-dogs bark :

Bow-wow.

Hark, hark! I hear

The strain of strutting chanticleer

Cry, Cock-a-diddle-dow.

III

Over hill, over dale

Thorough bush, thorough brier Over park, over pale

Thorough flood, thorough fire I do wander every where, Swifter than the moon's sphere; And I serve the fairy Queen, To dew her orbs upon the green. The cowslips tall her pensioners be: In their gold coats spots you see, Those be rubies, fairy favours, In those freckles live their savours : I must go seek some dewdrops here And hang a pearl in every cowslip's ear.

XXIV

LULLABY

You spotted snakes with double tongue, Thorny hedgehogs, be not seen;

Newts and blind-worms, do no wrong,

Come not near our fairy Queen!

Weaving spiders, come not here ;

Hence, you long-legg'd spinners, hence!

Beetles black, approach not near;
Worm nor snail, do no offence.

Philomel, with melody

Sing in our sweet lullaby;

Lulla, lulla, lullaby, Lulla, lulla, lullaby :

Never harm

Nor spell nor charm

Come our lovely lady nigh:

So, Good Night, with lullaby.