Classic Poem

I sought the dark field where the oat-grass was growing,
The maidens were there — and that oat-grass were mowing;
And I call'd to those maidens — " Now say if there be
The maiden I love 'midst the maidens I see. "
And they sighed as they answered, " Ah! no! alas! no,
She was laid in the bed of the tomb long ago. "

" Then show me the way where my footsteps must tread,
To reach that dark chamber where slumbers the dead. "

" The path is before thee — her grave will be known,
By the rosemary wreathes her companions have strown. "

" A ND where is the church — and the churchyard — whose heaps
Will point out the bed where the blessed one sleeps? "

So straight to the church-yard in sadness I drew,
But I saw no fresh heap, and no grave that was new.
I turned — a new grave slowly rose at my feet,
And my heart froze all o'er with a damp icy sweat.
And I heard a low voice — but it audibly said,
" Disturb not — disturb not the sleep of the dead.

W HO treads on my bosom — whatfootsteps have swept
The dew from the bed where the weary one slept? "
" My maiden! my maiden! so speak not to me ,
My presents were once not unwelcome to thee. "

" T HY presents were welcome — yet none could I save,
Not one could I bring to the stores of the grave!

" Go thou to my mother — and bid her restore
Every gift to thy hands which I valued before,
Then fling the gold ring in the depth of the sea,
And eternity's peace shall be given to me.
And sink that white kerchief deep, deep in the wave,
That my head may repose undisturbed in the grave. "