On Midsummer Night
by Winifred Sackville Stoner, Jr.
On midsummer night or St. John's eve
Is fairies' night when they receive
All their friends and all their slaves,
The goblins, witches, trollish knaves.
And if the olden tales be true,
All men and maids have cause to rue,
Who on this night dare go abroad
And touch a foot to fairy sod;
For naught will save them but to jump
Right o'er a fire or blazing stump.
But if you're brave and do not fear
That for your rashness you'll pay dear,
Then stand beneath an elder tree
And King of Fairies you may see.
Should you then wish to ride afar
With him to some far distant star,
Then quickly thread St. John's wort flower
And he will show you "Fairies' Bower,"
And also carry you all night
To many lands, until the light
Comes with Aurora's face so fair,
When he will drop you anywhere,
It matters not where he may be,
On mountain, desert, or the sea.
And therefore few men whom I know
Are brave enough with him to go.
And think it is best to bide at home
And not with fairies far to roam.