The Watcher in the Wood

Deep in the wood's recesses coolI see the fairy dancers glide,In doth of gold, in gown of green,My lord and lady side by side.

But who has hung from leaf to leaf,From flower to flower, a silken twine—A cloud of grey that holds the dewIn globes of dear enchanted wine?

Or stretches far from branch to branch.From thorn to thorn, in diamond rain.Who caught the cup of crystal pureAnd hung so fair the shining chain?

'Tis death, the spider, in his net,Who lures the dancers as they glide,In cloth of gold, in gown of green,My lord and lady side by side.