Volume II Part 17 (2/2)

XV.

Little Ellie, with her smile Not yet ended, rose up gaily, Tied the bonnet, donned the shoe, And went homeward, round a mile, Just to see, as she did daily, What more eggs were with the two.

XVI.

Pus.h.i.+ng through the elm-tree copse, Winding up the stream, light-hearted, Where the osier pathway leads, Past the boughs she stoops--and stops.

Lo, the wild swan had deserted, And a rat had gnawed the reeds!

XVII.

Ellie went home sad and slow.

If she found the lover ever, With his red-roan steed of steeds, Sooth I know not; but I know She could never show him--never, That swan's nest among the reeds!

_BERTHA IN THE LANE._

I.

Put the broidery-frame away, For my sewing is all done: The last thread is used to-day, And I need not join it on.

Though the clock stands at the noon I am weary. I have sewn, Sweet, for thee, a wedding-gown.

II.

Sister, help me to the bed, And stand near me, Dearest-sweet.

Do not shrink nor be afraid, Blus.h.i.+ng with a sudden heat!

No one standeth in the street?-- By G.o.d's love I go to meet, Love I thee with love complete.

III.

Lean thy face down; drop it in These two hands, that I may hold 'Twixt their palms thy cheek and chin, Stroking back the curls of gold: 'T is a fair, fair face, in sooth-- Larger eyes and redder mouth Than mine were in my first youth.

IV.

Thou art younger by seven years-- Ah!--so bashful at my gaze, That the lashes, hung with tears, Grow too heavy to upraise?

I would wound thee by no touch Which thy shyness feels as such.

Dost thou mind me, Dear, so much?

V.

Have I not been nigh a mother To thy sweetness--tell me, Dear?

Have we not loved one another Tenderly, from year to year, Since our dying mother mild Said with accents undefiled, ”Child, be mother to this child”!

VI.

<script>