Page:Poems Holley.djvu/94

"Near dwelt the beauteous Edith,
 A lowly maiden she—"
Ah! still unmoved, her dark sweet eyes.
 Looked far away from me.

"Dearer to him one blossom small
 That had but touched her hand,
Than all the high-born beauties-
 The ladies of the land.

"Dearer to him," quick came my breath
 As I looked down on her,
But the white roses in her hand
 No lightest leaf did stir.

Ah! wistfully I read her face,
 Full gently did I speak,
No light dawned in her tender eye,
 No flush stole o'er her cheek.

"He wore her colors on the field,
 He went where brave hearts were;
Ah, gallantly and nobly
 He fought for love of her.

"He loved her with his whole true heart,"
 Now like a sudden flame
Up to her cheek so pure and white,
 A flood of crimson came.