Classic Poem

PART VI.

'T WAS at the time of morning prime:
'Fore the dawn's gray light the shades of night
O'er the western hills began to flee,
And the eastern dim stars drowsily
Were winking at the morn,
When the boat glided over the quiet bay
To the smooth rock, where the live-long day
In sobs and tears the Fisherman lay
Despairing and forlorn.

The mer-maidens left them on that rock,
In the moon-set silvery gray:
Then the rosy mist rolled over the boat,
And on the air sweet sounds did float;
A sad yet pleasing strain they sung;
Round the lone shore the cadence rung,
And echoing died away.

The Lady Mary was now once more
With her own green fields around her;
But she could not wake from her slumber yet,
For the magic sleep still bound her.

The Fisherman watched her ruby lips,
And the fringe round her closed eyes;
And he thought of the time when, a child, he dreamed
That he was in Paradise.

There lived near by a noble Knight,
Who, at the peep of dawn,
Mounted his gallant hunting barb,
And to the chase is gone.

But the hounds ahead, in the heat of the chase,
Turned aside near the sea-shore, where
Round a sleeping form they silent stood,
And did in wonder stare;
And the huntsmen crossed themselves, as if
An angel had been there.

Amazed, the Knight in haste rode up,
When lo! in sweet surprise,
Her blue-veined lids unclose before
The brilliance of her eyes,
As at morn before the unveiling sun
The white cloud-curtains rise.

The Knight was young and beautiful,
With an eye of beaming blue;
The tender down upon his cheek
Scarce dimmed its blooming hue:

His graceful form was gaily decked,
His hand was small and fair,
And round his open smiling brow
Fell his clustering light-brown hair.

The Fisherman's eye was deep and dark,
And with weeping and watching dim:
His shaggy locks were all unshorn,
His cheek sun-burnt and weather-worn.
Could she deign to look on him?

Lady Mary gazed on the noble Knight;
And she knew by his broad plume, nodding white
O'er his cap of crimson gay,
That under her window he thrice had sung
Of love a tender lay.
And what could a maiden think of a knight
Who, by the young moon's mellow light,
With passioned love-songs waked the night?
Refuse to love him? Nay!

In his arm the young Knight deftly raised her,
Upon his barb he gently placed her,
Then took the bridle-rein;
And holding converse sweet, together
They paced across the plain.

The Fisherman watched her form, until
They disappeared behind the hill
That bounds the spreading lea;
Then a tear-drop fell — and once he sighed:
" Forever lost! " he wildly cried,
And plunged into the sea.