University of Virginia Library

Search this document 

collapse section 
  
  
  
collapse section 
  
collapse section 
collapse section 
 I. 
  
  
collapse section 
  
collapse section 
collapse section 
 I. 
 II. 
 III. 
 IV. 
collapse section 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
collapse section 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
SYMPATHY.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  


395

SYMPATHY.

A knight and a lady once met in a grove,
While each was in quest of a fugitive love;
A river ran mournfully murmuring by,
And they wept in its waters for sympathy.
“Oh, never was knight such a sorrow that bore!”
“Oh, never was maid so deserted before!”
“From life and its woes let us instantly fly,
And jump in together for company!”
They search'd for an eddy that suited the deed,
But here was a bramble, and there was a weed;
“How tiresome it is!” said the fair with a sigh;
So they sat down to rest them in company.
They gaz'd on each other, the maid and the knight;
How fair was her form, and how goodly his height!
“One mournful embrace!” sobb'd the youth, “ere we die!”
So kissing and crying kept company.

396

“Oh, had I but lov'd such an angel as you!”
“Oh, had but my swain been a quarter as true!”
“To miss such perfection how blinded was I!”
Sure now they were excellent company!
At length spoke the lass, 'twixt a smile and a tear,
“The weather is cold for a watery bier;
When summer returns we may easily die,
Till then let us sorrow in company.”