Page:Poems Acton.djvu/83

Pale was the youth, and sad his look,
 And cold grew the maiden's heart,
When the dread words fell upon her ear,
 "Beloved one, we must part!
Oh that my sire thy worth would own,
 All lovely as thou art!"

Long wept the maiden by his side,
 At her daring love dismayed;
For titles, and lands, and wealth had he,
 And she was a village maid:
But her beauty bright his heart had won,
 As she roved in the greenwood shade.

And now for a year, a weary year,
 Oh! that its length were o'er!
He must hasten forth, at his sire's command,
 To dwell on a distant shore;
And a voice within the maiden's heart
 Said, "He will return no more."

Bitter the parting, wild her grief;
 "Wilt thou be true?" she sighed.
"I pledge thee my faith by my lofty name,"
 At her feet the youth replied:
"When a year hath fled will I meet thee here,
 And hail thee as my bride."