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KENSINGTON GARDEN.
The whilst poor mortals startle at the soundOf unseen footsteps on the haunted ground. Amid this garden, then with woods o'ergrown,Stood the loved seat of royal Oberon.From every region to his palace-gateCame peers and princes of the fairy state,Who, rank'd in council round the sacred shade,Their monarchs will and great behests obey'd.From Thames fair banks, by lofty towers adorn'd,With loads of plunder oft his chiefs return'd:[1]Hence in proud robes, and colours bright and gay,Shone every knight, and every lovely fay.Whoe'er on Powells dazzling stage display'dHath famed king Pepin and his court survey'd,May guess, if old by modern things we trace,The pomp and splendour of the fairy race. By magick fenced, by spells encompass'd round,No mortal touch'd this interdicted ground;No mortal entered, those alone who came.Stol'n from the couch of some terrestrial dame:For oft of babes they robb'd the matrons bed,And left some sickly changeling in their stead. It chanced a youth of Albions royal blood.Was foster'd here, the wonder of the wood.
- ↑ This is calumny; the fairies were always liberal, never unjust the only things they ever stole were children, as represented below.
