Author: Madison Julius Cawein

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    I

    There were Faries two or three,
     And a high moon white as wool,
    Or a bloom in Fary,
    Where the star-thick blossoms be
     Star-like beautiful.


    II

    There were Faries two or three,
     And a wind as fragrant as
    Spicy wafts from Arcady
    Rocked the sleeping honey bee
     In the clover grass.


    III

    There were Faries two or three,
     Wee white caps and red wee shoon,
    Buckles at each dainty knee,
    "We are come to comfort thee,
     With the silver moon."


    IV

    There were Faries two or three,
     Buttercups brimmed up with dew,
    Winning faces sweet to see,
    Then mine eyes closed heavily:
     "Faries, what would you?"


    V

    There were Faries two or three,
     And my babe was dreaming deep,
    White as whitest ivory,
    In its crib of ebony
     Rocked and crooned on sleep.


    VI

    There were Faries two or three
     Standing in the mocking moon,
    And mine eyes closed drowsily,
    Drowsily and suddenly
     There my babe was gone.


    VII

    Now no Faries two or three
     Loitered in the moon alone;
    Jesu, Marie, comfort me!
    What is this instead I see - 
     Ugly skin and bone.


    VIII

    There were Faries two or three
     Stood with buckles on red shoon,
    But with evil sorcery
    My sweet babe to Fary
     They did steal right soon.

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Type of Poem: Ballad

Date Written:

Date Published:

Language: English

Keywords: Public Domain

Source: Public Domain Collection

Publisher:

Rights/Permissions: Public Domain

Comments/Notes: This poem is a narrative that tells the story of an encounter with fairies, evoking a sense of whimsy, wonder, and eventually, loss. The recurring line, "There were Faries two or three," creates a rhythmic structure that pulls the reader through the stanzas, adding an element of predictability and continuity to the unfolding story.

The poem begins with an enchanting depiction of the fairies, likened to the moon and stars, making them seem otherworldly and beautiful. The poet then shifts to describe a more earthly setting in the second stanza, where the fairies are now associated with the wind, bees, and grass. This juxtaposition of the ethereal with the earthly continues in the subsequent stanzas, building a rich tapestry of imagery that is both familiar and fantastical.

The poem's tone takes a dramatic turn in the sixth stanza, when the child is suddenly taken by the fairies. This abrupt shift echoes the suddenness of the child's disappearance, creating a sense of shock and loss. The final two stanzas further emphasize this loss, with a stark image of "ugly skin and bone" replacing the earlier, more idyllic imagery. The poem ends on a note of sorrow and longing, with the poet pleading for comfort and lamenting the loss of their child.

Throughout the poem, the poet employs a variety of literary devices to bring the story to life. These include alliteration ("buckles at each dainty knee"), simile ("white as whitest ivory") and personification (the moon is described as "mocking"). These devices, along with the poem's strong narrative structure and vivid imagery, create a captivating and deeply moving reading experience.