THE BEAUTIFUL LADY, by Arthur Hughs

An engraving to illustrate George MacDonald's book, At the Back of the North Wind. Image scanned by George P. Landow at http://www.victorianweb.org/art/illustration/hughes/1.html

SCHEHERAZADE, by Edmund Dulac

THE FAERIE QUEEN, by Walter Crane, RWS

CHARIOT BOAT PULLED BY FISH, by Walter Crane, RWS

Sir Kay Breaketh His Sword at ye Tournament - Howard Pyle

Howard Pyle was one of the great lights of the Golden Age of illustration. Along with his pupil, the magnificent N.C. Wyeth, he is among the greatest of American illustrators. The above is from his book, The Story of King Arthur and his Knights.

The Faerie Lover: Sonnet 1

I was inspired by Lily la Sorciere's determination to write a century of sonnets. With trepidation, I offer this first installment. Only ninety-nine to go!


The Faerie Lover

I am thy friend; I haunt thee in the light
That flows between the worlds, in which I dwell:
Hear my voice calling in the rush and swell
Of wind about thy casement in the night.

Feel my hand touch thee in the brush of dew
Young Robin scattered from yon cherry spray;
Or breathe my body's scent when reapers mow
In row on golden row the sun-warmed hay.

Taste my dark mouth like roses steeped in wine,
My throat like marble quarried from the moon;
And slow, O slowly kiss! For all too soon
I shall dissolve into the dazzling shine

Of sunlight on the river's molten stream….
And thou shalt reckon I was but a dream.

- by Wayward Disciple
(please respect the author's rights and do not reproduce original poetry without permission. Illustration by Arthur Rackham.)