Classic Poem

Who beneath the pallid starlight
Through the garden's gloom doth rove?
Seemeth he of bliss expectant,
Will the night propitious prove?
'Tis the harper — lo! he resteth
Close beneath the turret gray;
Where the lingering taper shineth,
Hark! he wakes the tender lay.

" Lady — from thy turret listen;
'Tis for thee I weave the rime,
Like a gentle dream recalling
All thy childhood's rosy prime.
As the evening bell was tolling
Came I — ere the dawn I go;
Never to mine eyes shall sunlight
This familiar castle shew.

Banished from thy banquet-chamber
Sparkling with a hundred lights,
Far I roved, whilst all around thee
Joyous thronged the noble knights.
They, with only joys acquainted,
Heedless — craved increased delight,
Hearing not love's sad lamentings,
Honouring not my childhood's right.

Vanish hence — thou dreary darkness!
Bloom afresh — each gloomy tree;
Place me in the magic kingdom
Ruled by childhood's lightsome glee!
Let me in the clover tumble,
Whilst with footfall light as air
Near me steals a winsome fairy,
Strewing o'er me flow'rets fair.

Yes! tho' childhood's gone for ever,
Ne'er shall that remembrance fade;
'Tis a glad and glorious rainbow
'Gainst a sullen sky displayed.
Hence my love avoids the sunlight,
Lest that sweet remembrance wane.
" Doth thy heart — dear lady, tell me —
Still thy childhood's love retain? "

Ceased the song — the bard sat silent
Close beneath the turret gray;
Dropped a ring from out the window;
Gleaming, in the grass it lay.
" Take the ring — think oft upon me,
Think of all we held so dear;
Take the ring — a costly jewel
Gleams there, and a glistening tear! "