Classic Poem

In Ashinóya village dwelt
The Maiden of Unai,
On whose beauty the next-door neighbours e'en
Might cast no wondering eye;

For they locked her up as a child of eight,
When her hair hung loosely still;
And now her tresses were gathered up,
To float no more at will.

And the men all yearn'd that her sweet face
Might once more stand reveal'd,
Who was hid from gaze, as in silken maze
The chrysalis lies concealed.

And they formed a hedge around the house,
And, “I'll wed her!” they all did cry;
And the Champion of Chinu he was there,
And the Champion of Unai.

With jealous love these champions twain
The beauteous girl did woo;
Each had his hand on the hilt of his sword,
And a full-charged quiver, too,

Was slung o'er the back of each champion fierce,
And a bow of snow-white wood
Did rest in the sinewy hand of each;
And the twain defiant stood,

Crying, “An 'twere for her dear sake,
Nor fire nor flood I'd fear!”
The maiden heard each daring word,
But spake in her mother's ear:

“Alas! that I, poor country girl,
Should cause this jealous strife!
An I may not wed the man I love,
What profits me my life?

“In Hades' realm I will await
The issue of the fray.”
These secret thoughts, with many a sigh,
She whisper'd, and pass'd away.

To the champion of Chinu in a dream
Her face that night was shown;
So he followed the maid to Hades' shade,
And his rival was left alone;

Left alone,—too late! too late!
He gapes at the vacant air,
He shouts, and he yells, and gnashes his teeth,
And dances in wild despair.

“But no! I'll not yield!” he fiercely cries,
“I'm as good a man as he!”
And, girding his poniard, he follows after,
To search out his enemy.

The kinsmen then, on either side,
In solemn conclave met,
As a token for ever and evermore
Some monument for to set,

That the story might pass from mouth to mouth
While heav'n and earth shall stand:
So they laid the maiden in the midst,
And the champions on either hand.

And I, when I hear the mournful tale,
I melt into bitter tears,
As though these lovers I never saw
Had been mine own compeers.