Classic Poem

Beneath the palace of the king
The gentle shepherd went;
The lady looked with longing eyes
Down from the battlement.

She threw to him a gentle word, —
" Would I might go to thee,
Where on the plain the snow-white flocks,
And bright red flowers I see! "

Thereto the shepherd made reply, —
" O, wouldst thou come to me,
More white would gleam those arms of thine,
More bright thy cheeks would be! "

And now each morn with lingering step,
Still as he passed the place,
He looked with earnest eyes until
He saw the lady's face.

" O welcome! welcome! princess fair, "
Then cried he joyfully;
And soft her gentle answer fell, —
" Sweet shepherd, thanks to thee. "

The winter fled, the spring appeared,
The flowers were fresh and fair,
The shepherd by the palace came,
The lady was not there.

Sadly his welcome strove to rise,
Sadly the echo fell,
And soft a spirit whisper sighed, —
" Sweet shepherd, fare thee well. "