34
ON FAIRIES.
Which in the meadow made such circles greene,As if with garlands it had crowned beene. Within one of these rounds was to be seeneA hillock rise, where oft the fairie queeneAt twy-light sate, and did command her elves,To pinch those maids that had not swept their shelves:And further, if by maidens over-sight,Within doores water were not brought at night,Or if they spred no table, set no bread,They should have nips from toe unto the head;And for the maid that had perform'd each thing,She in the water-pail bad leave a ring."
The same poet, in his "Shepheards pipe," having inserted Hoccleves tale of Jonathas, and conceiving a strange unnatural affection for that stupid fellow, describes him as a great favourite of the fairies, alleging, that
"Many times he hath been seeneWith the fairies on the greene,And to them his pipe did sound,While they danced in a round,Mickle solace would they make him,And at midnight often wake himAnd convey him from his roome,To a field of yellow broome;Or into the medowes, whereMints perfume the gentle aire,And where Flora shends her treasure,There they would begin their measure.If it chanc'd nights sable shrowdsMuffled Cynthia up in clowds;
