Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE FAIRY KING by WILLIAM ALLINGHAM

First Line: THE FAIRY KING WAS OLD
Last Line: HE LIVED IN WOODS AND BOWERS.
The Fairy King was old.
He met the Witch of the wold.
'Ah ha, King!' quoth she,
'Now thou art old like me.'
'Nay, Witch!' quoth he,
'I am not old like thee.'

The King took off his crown,
It almost bent him down;
His age was too great
To carry such a weight.
'Give it me!' she said,
And clapt it on her head.

Crown sank to ground;
The Witch no more was found.
The sweet spring-songs were sung,
The Fairy King grew young,
His crown was made of flowers,
He lived in woods and bowers.



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