"Was a king Bhallatiyo
And out a-hunting he would go;
Climbs the Fragrant Mount, and finds it
Full of sprites and flowers that blow.

"Straight he quiets every hound,
Lays bow and quiver on the ground,
Forward steps, to ask a question
Where a pair of fays were found.

"'Winter's gone: then why return
To talk and talk beside the burn?
O you human-seeming creatures,
What men call you I would learn."

To the king's question, the male fairy said nothing; but his mate answered as follows:

"Malla, Three-peak, Yellow Hill
We traverse, following each cool rill.
[439] Human-like the wild things deem us:
Huntsmen call us goblins still."

Then the king recited three stanzas:

"Though like lovers you caress
You weep as full of deep distress.
O you human-seeming creatures,
Why this weeping? come, confess!

"Though like lovers you caress
You weep as full of deep distress.
O you human-seeming creatures,
Why this sorrowing? come, confess!

"Though like lovers you caress
You weep as full of deep distress.
O you human-seeming creatures,
Why this mourning? come, confess!"

The stanzas which follow were said by each in course of address and answer:

"We apart one night had lain,
Both loveless, full of bitter pain,
Thinking each of each: but never
Will that night come back again."

"Why then spend that night alone
Which cost you many a sigh and groan,
[440] O you human-seeing creatures--
Money lost? a father gone?"

"Shaded thick yon river flows
Between the rocks: a storm arose:
Then with anxious care to find me
Right across my loved one goes.

"All the while with busy feet
I gathered thyme and meadowsweet
All to make my love a garland
And myself, when we should meet.

"Clustering harebell, violet blue,
And white narcissus fresh with dew,
All to make my love a garland
And myself, when we should meet.

"Then I plucked a bunch of rose,
That is the fairest flower that grows,
All to make my love a garland
And myself, when we should meet.

"Flowers next and leaves I found,
And strewed them thickly on the ground,
Where the livelong night together
We might slumber soft and sound.

"Sandal and sweet woods anon
I pounded small upon a stone,
Perfume for my love's limbs making,
Sweetest perfume for my own.

"By the river flowing fast
I gathered lilies to the last:
[441] Evening came--the river swelling
Made it hopeless to get past.