The Stolen Child

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The Stolen Child

• William Butler Yeats

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• WHERE dips the rocky highlandOf Sleuth Wood in
  the lake,There lies a leafy islandWhere
  flapping herons wakeThe drowsy water ratsThere
  we've hid our faery vats,Full of berrysAnd of
  reddest stolen cherries.Come away, O human
  child!To the waters and the wildWith a faery,
  hand in hand,For the world's more full of
  weeping than you can understand.

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• Where the wave of moonlight glossesThe dim gray
  sands with light,Far off by furthest RossesWe
  foot it all the night,Weaving olden
  dancesMingling hands and mingling glancesTill
  the moon has taken flightTo and fro we leapAnd
  chase the frothy bubbles,While the world is full
  of troublesAnd anxious in its sleep.Come away,
  O human child!To the waters and the wildWith a
  faery, hand in hand,For the world's more full of
  weeping than you can understand.

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• Where the wandering water gushesFrom the hills
  above Glen-Car,In pools among the rushesThat
  scarce could bathe a star,We seek for slumbering
  troutAnd whispering in their earsGive them
  unquiet dreamsLeaning softly outFrom ferns
  that drop their tearsOver the young
  streams.Come away, O human child!To the waters
  and the wildWith a faery, hand in hand,For the
  world's more full of weeping than you can
  understand.

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• Away with us he's going,The solemn-eyedHe'll
  hear no more the lowingOf the calves on the warm
  hillsideOr the kettle on the hobSing peace into
  his breast,Or see the brown mice bobRound and
  round the oatmeal chest.For he comes, the human
  child,To the waters and the wildWith a faery,
  hand in hand,For the world's more full of
  weeping than he can understand.