My father was a golden king,
  My mother was a shining queen;
I heard the magic blue-bird sing ...
  They wrapped me in a mantle green.

They led their winged white horses out,
  We rode and rode till dawn was grey;
We rode with many a song and shout,
  "Over the hills and far away."

They stole the crying human child,
  And left me laughing by the fire;
And that is why my heart is wild,
  And all my life a long desire ...

The old enchantments hold me still ...
  And sometimes in a waking trance
I seek again the Fairy Hill,
  The midnight feast, the glittering dance!

The wizard harpers play for me,
  I wear a crown upon my head,
A princess in eternity,
  I dance and revel with the dead ...

"Vain lies!" I hear the people cry,
  I listen to their weary truth;
Then turn again to fantasy,
  And the untroubled Land of Youth.

I hear the laughter of the kings,
  I see their jewelled flagons gleam ...
O wine of Life! ... immortal things
  Move in the splendour of my dream ...

My spirit is a homing dove ...
  I drain a crystal cup, and fall
Softly into the arms of Love ...
  And then the darkness covers all.