 | Poems Old and New by Charles D. Bell |  |
I.
Lord Nann and his gentle bride were wed in days of early youth,
And early they were doomed to part, tho' full of love and truth.
But yesterday the dame bore twins, white as the drifting snow,
And sweet as spring-tide roses are, which from one stalk outgrow.
And early they were doomed to part, tho' full of love and truth.
But yesterday the dame bore twins, white as the drifting snow,
And sweet as spring-tide roses are, which from one stalk outgrow.
“Now tell me, love, what is the food for which thy heart doth pine,
And as this day a son thou'st borne, it quickly shall be thine.
Wilt woodcock from the valley have, where grows the primrose sweet,
Or venison from the deep green-wood to make thee savoury meat?”
And as this day a son thou'st borne, it quickly shall be thine.
Wilt woodcock from the valley have, where grows the primrose sweet,
Or venison from the deep green-wood to make thee savoury meat?”
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“Oh, venison, dear, it likes me best! but weary is the chase;”
The words her lips had scarcely crossed when he started from his place,
And seized right fast his oaken spear his manly hands between,
Then leapt with speed on his coal-black steed and gained the forest green.
The words her lips had scarcely crossed when he started from his place,
And seized right fast his oaken spear his manly hands between,
Then leapt with speed on his coal-black steed and gained the forest green.
A milk-white doe full soon he saw on the borders of the brake,
He followed so fleet, that beneath his feet the trembling earth did shake;
He followed so fleet, that from his brow the big drops fell like rain,
And his gallant courser's panting sides the foam did fleck and stain.
He followed so fleet, that beneath his feet the trembling earth did shake;
He followed so fleet, that from his brow the big drops fell like rain,
And his gallant courser's panting sides the foam did fleck and stain.
And now the sinking day declined, and deepened into night,
While overhead the radiant stars shone out both clear and bright.
Near to the grot of Königinn, where all was soft and green,
A streamlet held its silver course the flowers and moss between.
While overhead the radiant stars shone out both clear and bright.
Near to the grot of Königinn, where all was soft and green,
A streamlet held its silver course the flowers and moss between.
Lord Nann he now did light him down, close to the streamlet's brink,
And stooping low he thought full sure the cooling wave to drink.
And stooping low he thought full sure the cooling wave to drink.
| Poems Old and New by Charles D. Bell | |