William Shakespeare

Fairy Land

ii

YOU spotted snakes with double tongue,
    Thorny hedgehogs, be not seen;
Newts and blind-worms, do no wrong;
    Come not near our fairy queen.

            Philomel, with melody,
            Sing in our sweet lullaby;
        Lulla, lulla, lullaby; lulla, lulla, lullaby!
                Never harm,
                Nor spell nor charm,
            Come our lovely lady nigh;
            So, good night, with lullaby.

Weaving spiders, come not here;
    Hence, you long-legg'd spinners, hence!
Beetles black, approach not near;
    Worm nor snail, do no offence.

            Philomel, with melody,
            Sing in our sweet lullaby;
        Lulla, lulla, lullaby; lulla, lulla, lullaby!
                Never harm,
                Nor spell nor charm,
            Come our lovely lady nigh;
            So, good night, with lullaby.