The Culprit Fay, and Other Poems

"The Culprit Fay, and Other Poems" by Joseph Rodman Drake is an anthology from the Romantic period that immerses readers in a world of mythical beings, heartfelt emotion, and natural splendor. The highlight of the book is a narrative poem about a fairy who violates the rules of his world when he becomes enamored with a human. He is put on trial and is assigned a challenge to get back into the good graces of the fairy community: he has to find a magical item from a fish and relight his lantern. The voyage of the Fay illustrates his trials, particularly his encounters with water spirits, as well as his eventual success. The collection's other poems elaborate on this story and showcase Drake's expressive language and colorful descriptions while exploring topics of the natural world, expressions of human emotion, and themes of devotion to one's country.