Canto XXVII

When Childe John entered into fairyland,
Amazed 'he looked on things sublimely grand.
The roseate hues almost blind his eyes,
He hardly dares to view this paradise.

The fairies are not scared, they do not shun
Him, but with childish glee they play and run
Around; with gentle speech and pleasant smile
They lead him to the centre of their isle.

When John saw how here all with rapture beam,
He woke up as had he been in a dream.
Into his heart came a sense of despair:
There came into his mind his Helen fair

"Here in this land, — of love sublime the home, —
I all alone, alone through life must roam?
Where'er I look is cheer and glee and mirth,
Is there for me no happiness on earth?"
In fairyland's midst stood a pretty lake,
John does himself to its fair shore betake.
He took the rose which grew on Helen's grave
And to this thought of his expression gave.

"My only gem, part of her heart, sweet rose,
What path to take, oh, do to me disclose!"
With that he casts the rose into the lake
To follow it was just a plunge to take:

When lo! What wondrous sight fell to his eyes!
He saw his Helen from the water rise.
With insane joy into the lake he wades,
His sweet Helen's coming ashore he aids.

The lake contained life's elixir which gave

New life to those who in its waters lave.
From Helen's earthly dust had grown the rose,
Helen herself to life renewed arose.

Most eloquently I could tell you all,
Except the feelings which John's soul enthral
When he his Helen held in fond embrace
When he with burning lips could kiss her face!

Upon her peerless beauty and her grace
The faries all with admiration gaze,
Not fairyland had e'er such beauty seen.
The fays elect him king, make Helen queen!

O'er those delightful folks in fairyland

— 'With sweetheart's love caressed by "Helen's

hand,
His gracious majesty Childe John to day
As their beloved king still holdeth sway.