poems.
67
THE MAIDEN ON THE PRAIRIE.
The calm and gentle moon
Shone through the clouds that hid her starry train;
The golden flowers of June
Bent in the winds that swept the silent plain.
Shone through the clouds that hid her starry train;
The golden flowers of June
Bent in the winds that swept the silent plain.
No trees their branches wav'd;
No mountain summit rose against the sky;
No whisp'ring waters lav'd
The flow'ry turf, the only verdure nigh.
No mountain summit rose against the sky;
No whisp'ring waters lav'd
The flow'ry turf, the only verdure nigh.
What low and plaintive note
Was borne upon the cold unansw'ring air?
Now near, now more remote,
One living being, one alone, was there!
Was borne upon the cold unansw'ring air?
Now near, now more remote,
One living being, one alone, was there!
Lone wand'rer of the plain!
No home was near, no light, no wreathing smoke;
Thou pleadest but in vain,—
Not e'en an echo thy sweet voice awoke!
No home was near, no light, no wreathing smoke;
Thou pleadest but in vain,—
Not e'en an echo thy sweet voice awoke!
Left in the sudden flight
Of thy red captors, thou art safe and free;
No human help in sight,
A heav'nly guard is now appointed thee!
Of thy red captors, thou art safe and free;
No human help in sight,
A heav'nly guard is now appointed thee!
