THE LADY ALICE.
Reading edition
———
BY PARK BENJAMIN.
———
In the early morning hour,
When the dew was on the flower,
From her fragrant couch arose
Lady Alice, bright and fair!
Free around her as the air,
Spotless as the mountain snows,
Garments in the night-time worn,
Floated in the light of morn.
Music, soft as angels hear,
O’er the quiet waters came,
And the voice, that met her ear,
Warbled one beloved name.
By her lattice, hushed she stood
In a leaning attitude.
Nothing lovelier to behold
Ever greeted mortal eyes—
Saintly pictures, famed of old,
Gems of genius, set in gold,
Matchless forms in shape and size!
Nearer now the strain is heard—
Starts she, like a frightened bird;
’Tis for her the song is sung,
And for her, across the sea,
Waves the signal merrily,
From her lover’s pinnace flung!
’Tis the hour, the promised hour,
She should leave her maiden bower.
. . . . . . . .
She has donned her rich attire,
She has left her father’s palace—
Has love so quenched her spirit’s fire?
Is this the haughty Lady Alice?
She, whose looks of high disdain
Banished nobles from her train?
See, adown the marble stairs,
To the wave, the lady steal;
Nothing now for pride she cares—
Love has taught her heart to feel.
Idly rocks the slender mast
O’er the silver billows now,
But anon the foam will cast
Jewels from the speeding prow;
Soon, from vain pursuit afar,
Softly will that pinnace glide,
And the evening’s golden star
Smile upon a happy bride.