Classic Poem

Fairy fingers always pluck
Sprigs of spring for summer luck, —
Leaf, and slip, and clover-head,
No bee hath o'er-hovered, —
The dew upon the clover-top
Must tremble, but it must not drop!

For when the bats begin to flit,
And the glimmering lawns are lit
Momently with a fire-ily light,
Thro' the lattice of twilight,
Tiny fingers of moonshine
With my lute-strings intertwine!
Moonshine-fingers, winter-clear,
With my lute-strings interfere!
Fairies bring the clover-top,
And shake down the sweet Dew-Drop;
It lights and trembles on my lips,
And thus into a song it slips:

Marry, in the moonlight, marry, O marry!
The lily-queen trembles and leans to the lily
Which for the love of her grows nearest!
Whispering, " Wake Willie, wake Willie, wake Willie,
Breath o' my life, Willie,
Willie my dearest!

Marry, in the moonlight, marry, O marry,
The sweetest is given, and given and taken!
Queenly Beloved, thou art the nearest;
And Willie is a-waiting for you to awaken!
Awaiting — awaiting —
For you to awaken!