The Collected Songs of Charles Mackay With Illustrations by John Gilbert |
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THE WHITE DOVE. |
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| I. |
| II. |
| III. |
| IV. |
| V. |
| VI. |
| VII. |
| VIII. |
| IX. |
| X. |
| XI. |
| XII. |
 | The Collected Songs of Charles Mackay |  |
THE WHITE DOVE.
I
The White Dove dwelt in woodland bower,A happy bird each live-long hour;
No care she felt, no grief had she,
Deep hidden in her wild-wood tree.
The castle tower stood fair and high,
Its banner flaunted to the sky:
“'Tis bright,” quo' she, “this morn of May,”
Then spread her wings and flew away.
Oh foolish thing! Oh luckless day!
She spread her wings and flew away.
II
She sat upon the castle gateAnd saw the Earl in all his state—
With helm and plume, and jewels rare,
And his youngest son with golden hair.
11
“Up in the turret far above!”
And from his side he drew a dart
And pierced the trembler to the heart.
Oh cruel, oh remorseless dart!
It pierced the trembler to the heart.
III
“What have I done, unthinking boy!“I've slain the thing that was my joy.
“What have I done?” with tears he cried,
“I would to Heaven that I had died!
“The sweetest dove that ever flew,
“The mildest dove with eyes of blue;—
“The angel dove that I have slain!
“Remorse and I are one, though twain;
“Aye, flow, ye tears! ye fall in vain,
“I'll ne'er know happiness again!”
| The Collected Songs of Charles Mackay | |