University of Virginia Library

XIII.

Lady of the forest
Is the Silver Birk;
Shimmering in the sunshine;
Shivering at the mirk;
Rocking in her rapture;
A dancing Psaltress slim!
Floating on the Wind-wave
With a foam-light swim:
Rustling in her richness,
The Lady of the land;
Veilèd when the gloaming
Is gray with shadows grand;
'Mid the dance of colours
And semitones of green,
Gleams this daintier Spirit
That in leafdom is the Queen.

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Of all the Trees o' the forest,
He loves the Silver Birk,
Shimmering in the sunshine,
Shivering at the mirk,
So like the Lady Laura
In her purity and grace;
Dreaming in its shadow,
Often rose her face!
And as when a Sunburst
Makes golden the green Aisles,
The Woodland water smileth,
So his heart within him smiles.