TO MY SISTER.
SENT WITH A RUBY, SET ROUND WITH BRILLIANTS.
To form this ruby, know [what time
The full moon silvered grove and field]
The Fairy-Queen by magic rhyme
Of my best blood a drop congealed:
The full moon silvered grove and field]
The Fairy-Queen by magic rhyme
Of my best blood a drop congealed:
Next to compose the circle bright
Girdling that gem of crimson dye,
She caught some sparks of pure delight,
While glittering in my laughing eye.
Girdling that gem of crimson dye,
She caught some sparks of pure delight,
While glittering in my laughing eye.
This done, Titania formed the ring,
Which now to you, dear Girl! I send;
No idle toy, no common thing,
And tendered by no common Friend.
Which now to you, dear Girl! I send;
No idle toy, no common thing,
And tendered by no common Friend.
Know, while these mystic gems are yours,
That spell at midnight muttered o'er
By viewless chains my faith secures
To keep the vow, which now I pour.
That spell at midnight muttered o'er
By viewless chains my faith secures
To keep the vow, which now I pour.
—"The fellows of this drop shall flow
In thy defence, while life is mine;
And sparks like these my eyes shall show,
When-e'er they read content in thine."—
In thy defence, while life is mine;
And sparks like these my eyes shall show,
When-e'er they read content in thine."—