Song of Fairies Robbing an Orchard     by Thomas Randolf collected by Leigh Hunt     We, the Fairies, blithe and antic, Of dimensions not gigantic, Though the moonlight 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, Then's the time for orchard robbing; Yet the fruit were scare worth peeling, Were it not for stealing, stealing! Oberon, descend, we pray Thee, Lest a swift stick overlay Thee. Dogs are on the watch, and barking; Eyes of mortals anti-larking. Since by Thee comes profanation, Taste Thee lo: sacrification! Thou shalt own that in a twinkling We have caught a pretty crinkling. Now for all this store of apples, Laud we with the voice of chapels. Elves, methinks, were ordained soley To keep orchard robbing holy. Hence, then, hence, and let's delight us With the maids whose creams invite us; Kissing them, as sunlight dapples, All midst junkets, wine, and apples.         To email please see:  contact.cgi if you have any comments or questions about this page. Page created:  5/11/01 Updated:  8/29/2023