The Erl-King Speaks
“Oh! come and go with me, thou loveliest child;
By many a gay sport shall thy time be beguiled;
My mother keeps for thee full many a fair toy,
And many a fine flower shall she pluck for my boy.”
“O Father, my Father! and did you not hear
The Erl-King whisper so low in my ear?”—
“Be still, my heart’s darling—my child, be at ease;
It was but the wild blast as it sung thro’ the trees.”