The Poetry Corner

Fairies' Song

By James Henry Leigh Hunt

Translation of a Latin poem by Thomas Randolph We the fairies blithe and antic Of dimensions not gigantic, Though the moonshine mostly keep us, Oft in orchards frisk and peep us. Stolen sweets are always sweeter; Stolen kisses much completer; Stolen looks are nice in chapels; Stolen, stolen be your apples. When to bed the world are bobbing, Thens the time for orchard robbing; Yet the fruit were scarce worth peeling Were it not for the stealing, stealing.