'My ale is cool, my wine is clear,

My daughter lies on her sable bier.'

And when they came to the chamber, there

She lay on her bier, that maiden fair.

The eldest the flowing veil did raise,

And looked upon her with mournful gaze.

'Oh! wert thou still living, thou fairest on earth,

I would love thee truly from this day forth!'

The second drew down the veil again,

And turned him away, and wept with pain.

'Alas! that thou art on thy sable bier!

I have loved thee truly for many a year!'

The youngest threw back the sable veil,

And kissed her fair lips, so cold and so pale:

'I love thee to-day, as I loved thee before,

And I will love thee for evermore.'

FAITHFUL WALTER.

THE faithful Walter riding near

Our Lady's chapel holy,

Beheld a maid in penitence

Before the threshold lowly :

'Oh, Walter, stay! forsake me not!

Hast thou so soon the voice forgot

Thou erst didst hear with pleasure?'

'Whom see I here? the maiden false,

Whom once I called my own.

Where didst thou leave thy silken garb,

Where gold and precious stone?'

'Woe! that I did my faith betray!

My paradise I cast away;

With thee again I find it.'

He raised to horse that lovely form,

He felt compassion tender,

And close about his neck she wound

Her arms so white and slender.

'Oh, Walter mine! my heart that beats

So warmly, nought but iron meets;

Alas! on thine it beats not.'

To Walter's castle then they came,

Whence life and joy were banished.
He took the helmet from his brow,
His youthful bloom had vanished:
'Thine

eyes so dim, thy cheeks so worn,

My faithful love, thee best adorn;

I ne'er so fair beheld thee.'

The armour now unclasps the maid

For him whom she offended.

'Alas! a sable garb I see

Thy love in death has ended.'

'My true-love I am mourning sore,

Whom I on earth shall never more

Nor yet in heaven recover.'

Now at his feet the maiden sinks,

With arms uplifted, sighing :

'A penitent behold me here,

To thee for mercy crying:

Oh! let me once again be blest,

Oh! let me on thy faithful breast

Be healed from ev'ry sorrow!'

'Arise, arise, unhappy child!

I can uplift thee never;

Mine arms too closely folded are,

My breast is lifeless ever.

Mourn thou, as I do, evermore,

For love is o'er, for love is o'er,

And ne'er again returneth.'

DREAM.

WITHIN a garden shady

Two lovers hand in hand,

Wan knight and pallid lady,

They sat in the flowery land.

They kissed each other's faces,

Their lips with kisses burned;

Close, close were their embraces,
And youth and strength returned.