Fairy Tales, Now First Collected/Song 2
SONG II.
IMITATION.
Lo! here, beneath this hallow'd shade, Within a cowslips blossom deep,The lovely queen of elves is laid, May nought disturb her balmy sleep!
Let not the snake, or baleful toad, Approach the silent mansion near,Or newt profane the sweet abode, Or owl repeat her orgies here!
No snail or worm shall hither come, With noxious filth her bow'r to stain;Hence be the beetles sullen hum, And spiders disembowel'd train!
The love-lorn nightingale alone Shall through Titanias arbour stray,To soothe her sleep with melting moan, And lull her with his sweetest lay.