The island where the elves live. And if you go there and speak a word, you would be captive of the King of the Elves for 7 years and a day. (Copyright expired)
<blockquote>
On this silver inlet's breast,<br>
Lies an isle in glamour drest.<br>
All its trees are small but old,<br>
Threescore winters each has told,<br>
And the patriarch of the clan<br>
Is no taller than a man !<br>
Yet these little weazened trees<br>
That are dropping on their knees<br>
Down before the bluff north breeze<br>
Are gigantic yew and oak<br>
To the island's pigmy folk.<br><br>
They are full of craft and guile,<br>
Who inhabit Todlin Isle.<br>
Oftentimes, with quaint farewells, <br>
They launch out in scallop-shells,<br>
On some mighty voyage bound<br>
To the mainland meadow-ground.<br>
If you're like to cross their track,<br>
Straight about they veer and tack,<br>
Sheltering in those tangled coves<br>
Where they hide their treasure-troves ;<br>
If you land, they quickly flit<br>
Into secret cave and pit ;<br>
So that never yet, I ween,<br>
Any of their ilk was seen.<br>
But their bond-slaves you may pass,<br>
Weaving through the warm, dry grass<br>
(Limber "hopper," coal-black grig,<br>
Lady-bug, and emmet trig) ;<br>
And their beds you come across,<br>
Strewn with tressed green-gray moss ; --<br>
Pillows made of silk-weed floss --<br>
Coverlids of rose-leaf lawn --<br>
Sweet-fern curtains, partly drawn.<br>
You may find their banquet-rooms<br>
Hung with white azalea blooms,<br>
And the dainties left in haste,<br>
If you wish, yourself may taste ; --<br>
Goblets filled with dewberry wine,<br>
Purple beach-plums, sleek and fine,<br>
Honey that was had in fee<br>
From the solitary bee,<br>
Smilax salads cool and crisp ; --<br>
You may taste -- but no word lisp,<br>
Else for seven years and a day<br>
You on Todlin Isle must stay.<br>
For of fern-seed you will eat, --<br>
Be unseen, from head to feet, --<br>
Be unheard, howe'er you moan,<br>
Till your captive years are flown,<br>
Drag about a gossamer chain,<br>
Serve the King of Elves, in pain.<br><br>
Ah, my child, be wise and dumb,<br>
When to Todlin Isle you come !<br></blockquote>
| Date | Publication | Publisher | Type | Page | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1895 |
|
In Sunshine Land | Houghton Mifflin | Collection | 117 |