"I have a thousand men," said he, "To wait upon my will; And towers nine upon the Tyne, And three upon the Till." "And what care I for your men? " said she, "Or towers from Tyne to Till? Sith you must go with me," said she, "To wait upon my will. And you may lead a thousand men Nor ever draw the rein, But before you lead the Fairy Queen 'Twill burst your heart in twain." He has slipped his foot from the stirrup-bar, The bridle from his hand, And he is bound by hand and foot To the Queen of Fairy Land.
Return to the Rudyard Kipling library , or . . . Read the next poem; The Queen's Men