Classic Poem

In Three Pictures

I

Softly, softly came the music
Of the lightly tripping feet
Sweetly came the quaint old hymn tune
From the recess'd window seat.

Brightly, brightly stole the sunbeam
On the rippling golden hair
Shenting down the dimpled shoulder
Fluttering o'er the hand so fair.

But what stops the young girl's singing
Why this sudden blush so bright —
As she read the dainty missive
I am coming love tonight.

Gay she laughed, and danced the small feet
O'er the old dark oaken floor
And the sympathizing sunbeams
Met her at the opening door.

II

Silvery shone the placid moonbeams
O'er the blooming apple trees
Softly came the murmured voices
On the blossom laden breeze.

Ah how swiftly passed that evening
Whispered words and fancies dear
And the roguish blinking dew drops
Staid awake that they might hear.

III

In her moonlit maiden chamber
Thought she long and deep that night
While with pearly glancing fingers
She unbraids her locks so bright.

Thoughtfully she drooped the ripples
Of her golden threaded hair
Crossed in thought her dimpled white hands
On her gentle bosom fair.

What had passed upon that evening?
None of us will ever hear —
But the rosy shell like blossoms
Ask of them, for they were there.