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English melodies

By Charles Swain

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145

FROM THE ORIEL WINDOW.

From the oriel window
Of the gothic tower,
Lists a beauteous maiden,
Through the wintry hour;
List'ning—ever list'ning—
For a step below:
Softly in the moonlight
Falls the silvery snow,
With a floating whisper,
Musical and low,
Softly in the moonlight
Falls the silvery snow!
Never more, sweet maiden,
Never more, for thee,
Shall the form thou lovest,
'Neath thy casement be:

146

Lowly lies thy true knight
On the battle plain,
Shrouded by the moonlight,
Ne'er to rise again!
With a wailing whisper
O'er his cold, cold brow,
Mournful in the moonlight
Falls the silvery snow!