The Equinox (Volume I, Number IV)

310 MIDSUMMER EVE Faint shadows cross the shifting spears of light, Pale gold and amethyst, or warmly white, Till velvet shod, unseen, the wizard hours Hold thus their elfin court amid the flowers, That wake to wingéd music of the night. And silken sighs scarce stir the amorous bowers Where ’passioned sleep his poppy garland showers, In dreams which mock the hastening moments’ flight. Up soars the moon, and higher still and higher The dancers leap to catch some fairy fire To steal and ’prison in the glow-worm’s tail, For pixie torches should the starlight fail; Reflecting gems which deck the elfin choir, Melting like snowflakes at the daybreak pale. ETHEL ARCHER.