When he sat up and rubbed his eyes , there was no wife by his side , and when he asked the little ones what was become of their mother , they said they saw the room full of nice little men and women , dressed in white and red and green , and their mother in the middle of them , going out by the door as if she was walking in her sleep . Out he ran , and searched everywhere round the house but , neither tale nor tidings did he get of her for many a day . Well , the poor man was miserable enough , for he was as fond of his woman as she was of him . It used to bring the salt tears down his cheeks to see his poor children neglected and dirty , as they often were , and they 'd be bad enough only for a kind neighbour that used to look in whenever she could spare time . The infant was away with a nurse . About six weeks after -- just as he was going out to his work one morning -- a neighbour , that used to mind women when they were ill , came up to him , and kept step by step with him to the field , and this is what she told him . ` Just as I was falling asleep last night , I heard a horse 's tramp on the grass and a knock at the door , and there , when I came out , was a fine-looking dark man , mounted on a black horse , and he told me to get ready in all haste , for a lady was in great want of me . As soon as I put on my cloak and things , he took me by the hand , and I was sitting behind him before I felt myself stirring . `` Where are we going , sir ? '' says I. `` You 'll soon know , '' says he ; and he drew his fingers across my eyes , and not a ray could I see . I kept a tight grip of him , and I little knew whether he was going backwards or forwards , or how long we were about it , till my hand was taken again , and I felt the ground under me . The fingers went the other way across my eyes , and there we were before a castle door , and in we went through a big hall and great rooms all painted in fine green colours , with red and gold bands and ornaments , and the finest carpets and chairs and tables and window curtains , and grand ladies and gentlemen walking about . At last we came to a bedroom , with a beautiful lady in bed , with a fine bouncing boy beside her . The lady clapped her hands , and in came the Dark Man and kissed her and the baby , and praised me , and gave me a bottle of green ointment to rub the child all over . ` Well , the child I rubbed , sure enough ; but my right eye began to smart , and I put up my finger and gave it a rub , and then stared , for never in all my life was I so frightened . The beautiful room was a big , rough cave , with water oozing over the edges of the stones and through the clay ; and the lady , and the lord , and the child weazened , poverty-bitten creatures -- nothing but skin and bone -- and the rich dresses were old rags . I did n't let on that I found any difference , and after a bit says the Dark Man , `` Go before me to the hall door , and I will be with you in a few moments , and see you safe home . '' Well , just as I turned into the outside cave , who should I see watching near the door but poor Molly . She looked round all terrified , and says she to me in a whisper , `` I 'm brought here to nurse the child of the king and queen of the fairies ; but there is one chance of saving me . All the court will pass the cross near Templeshambo next Friday night , on a visit to the fairies of Old Ross .
If John can catch me by the hand or cloak when I ride XXXXX , and has courage not to let go his grip , I 'll be safe .
Out about at behind by down near through whether with