Now step not near the hollow hill On nights of mist and shrouded moon You may hear hooves and harness bells But look not on the Faery Host.
White shields they carry in their hands With emblems wrought of silver pale And two-edged swords that shine blue light While pure and strong sound battle horns.
In battle lines drawn orderly They ride aside their chieftain fair They march to fight amid blue spears Their milk white horses shod with gold.
They scatter foes like blades of grass Their lands they ravage, waste and burn They march to combat - glorious sight! A swift, avenging, ruthless host.
And strong they are and full of grace Each one the child of kings and queens And on the head of one and all A golden flowing mane of hair.
With smooth and comely face and limb With bright and piercing blue starred eye With teeth as crystal, white and strong With lips as red as drops of blood.
And good are they at slaying men And sweet are they at ale-house song And masters are they of the harp Well skilled are they with knight and pawn.
Now step not near the hollow hill On nights of mist and shrouded moon You may hear hooves and harness bells But look not on the Faery Host.
For if upon the host you light and not with speed avert your sight; their thrall shall fall upon you straight, and twined with them shall lie your fate.
And as they ride, your soul be drawn along their path, until with dawn shall hie their host under the hill, and go you too, whate'er your will.
There shall you stay until the day when Seelie Court shall lose its sway, and then, from fairy world exiled, you'll mourn that loss, with grief futile.