Classic Poem

Les lutins de Montlheri.

Plodding a-foot, full late the hour,
It chanced that in Montlheri's Tower
Refuge I took from pelting shower
And driving blast
Humming a tune, upon my ear
Broke a loud laugh — I froze with fear —
Forth came a voice that sounded near,
" Our reign is past! "

Will-o'-the-wisps with lurid lights
Flit through the gloom — the voice unites
With cries of goblins and of sprites,
In numbers vast.
Hark! a shrill clarion — 'tis the call
To their noeturnal festival;
But loud the voice above them all,
" Our reign is past!

" Revels no longer may be ours;
Goblins, away! by Reason's powers
From out our haunts in ruined towers
Now are we cast.
The world new oracles hath sought;
Our prodigies have come to nought,
Since miracles by man are wrought —
Our reign is past!

" Of us the gods of Greece were bred
Who the charmed senses captive led,
With youth — on flowers and incense fed —
For aye to last.
Gaul, still untutored, in that day
For us the rites of blood would pay —
Alas! even rustics now may say,
Our reign is past!

" When knights and minstrels were renowned,
Kings, Saints, the Loves, — 'twas often found —
At Fairies' feet by us were bound
In fetters fast.
We ruled, as Magic waved his staff,
The wrath of Heaven, on his behalf —
But hark! I hear the Wizard's laugh —
Our reign is past!

" By Reason exorcised, our flight,
Goblins, for aye, let's take to-night! "
The voice was hushed — O wondrous sight!
I saw, aghast,
That the walls crumbled, and the crew
From their loved haunt all hurrying flew;
Whilst faint the cry in distance grew,
" Our reign is past! "