“Fairy Queen” was inspired by the English myths of a beautiful but potentially deadly ruler of the fairies. The idea of such a being has always intrigued me. In this particular poem, it’s not clear to me weather the fairy queen’s intentions are truly benign, though perhaps her love is real. I imagine a creature with such power and influence at her disposal likely accomplishes multiple goals here.
Fairy Queen
“Come dance with me”Said the fairy queen
“And spin the night away.
Dance under the sky,
Till the stars pass by
And the night becomes day.” “I dare not Oh queen of fae, Whose words are honey sweet.
For joy I’ll find,
But in the end
You’ll bind my hands and feet. Or perhaps, oh queen
The ages you’ve seen
Have passed just like a day.
If so, I’d happily
Twirl and swing
And waltz my life away. The beauty of
Your courts, queen love
Could drive a man quite mad.
Then for your hand
He’d gladly lose
All that he once had. So though my heart
Aches within,
I must, alas, say no.
But I pray thee visit
In my last days
Before I this life forgo.” But then the queen
Did something unguessed
She shed a tear and sighed.
Then she took my hand
And kissed my face
And before speaking, openly cried. “Oh lovely man,
Do you not see?
This request you’ve already made,
And now is then.
Though thou knowest not,
On death’s bed you are laid. I seek not to bind
Your hands or feet,
As the stars are my witness above.
For I’ve watched them spin
An eternity, alone,
Waiting for you, my love. With me a day
Is like an age,
But one of silk and lace,
And the peace and joy
Found on my arm is
Unknown by any of your race. Now take my hand
And dance, my sweet,
Lead me on the breeze.
We’ll waltz the mountains,
And tango the sands,
Then samba the oceans and seas. And when you take
Your final bow,
You’ll know ’twas not in vain.
For you’ll hold my hand
And kiss my cheek
Before your life does wain. Now hold me close
Dear man, my sweet.
Lead your fairy love.
For tonight I’m yours,
And we’ll dance free
While the stars still spin above.”
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