National Lyrics, and Songs for Music/Water Lilies, a Fairy Song

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For works with similar titles, see Water Lilies.
3022551National Lyrics, and Songs for Music — Water Lilies, a Fairy SongFelicia Hemans


WATER-LILIES.


A FAIRY-SONG.




Come away, Elves! while the dew is sweet,
Come to the dingles where fairies meet;
Know that the lilies have spread their bells
O'er all the pools in our forest-dells;
Stilly and lightly their vases rest
On the quivering sleep of the water's breast,
Catching the sunshine thro' leaves that throw
To their scented bosoms an emerald glow;
And a star from the depth of each pearly cup,
A golden star unto heaven looks up,
As if seeking its kindred where bright they lie,
Set 'in the blue of the summer sky.

—Come away! under arching boughs we'll float,
Making those urns each a fairy boat;
We'll row them with reeds o'er the fountains free,
And a tall flag leaf shall our streamer be,
And we'll send out wild music so sweet and low,
It shall seem from the bright flower's heart to flow,
As if 'twere a breeze with a flute's low sigh,
Or water-drops trained into melody.
—Come away! for the midsummer sun grows strong,
And the life of the lily may not be long.