20
The Girl of Normandy.
but his foot slipping, plump went the stone to the bottom of the well. Hans, as he saw it sink, sprung joyfully up, then knelt down again, and thanked God, with tears in his eyes, for this favour, in having thus freed him from the stone; for it was the only thing wanting to complete his happiness.
“There is not such a happy dog as myself under the sun,” he exclaimed; and now with a lightsome spirit, released from every burden, he hastened along till he arrived at his mother’s house.
THE GIRL OF NORMANDY.
BY INCOGNITA.
Oh! what a lovely creature was Lisette,
The Girl of Normandy! when her eye met
Her own clear sky,—you might have deemed it’s blue
Outshone the heaven’s most ethereal hue,
’Neath her trim bodice, beat how true a heart!
True to first love—but sorrow had its part,
And ever will—the fond young heart may be
But a divided realm: and destiny
Frowned bitterly on nature’s favoured one,
And Lisette’s smile, and ready jest, were gone;
And now, to mirth which once knew no allow,
And songs, that nought but slumber taught to cease,
Succeeds a restlessness, which is not joy;
A languid stillness—but which is not peace.
The Girl of Normandy! when her eye met
Her own clear sky,—you might have deemed it’s blue
Outshone the heaven’s most ethereal hue,
’Neath her trim bodice, beat how true a heart!
True to first love—but sorrow had its part,
And ever will—the fond young heart may be
But a divided realm: and destiny
Frowned bitterly on nature’s favoured one,
And Lisette’s smile, and ready jest, were gone;
And now, to mirth which once knew no allow,
And songs, that nought but slumber taught to cease,
Succeeds a restlessness, which is not joy;
A languid stillness—but which is not peace.
’Twas the old tale—she loved—she gave her all,
Her heart’s first fondness, to the orphan Paul.
But fortune frowned on Paul: then marvel not,
That Lisette’s parents frowned, and spurned a lot,
Of humble happiness for her, for whom,
They heaped up riches.—“Lisette in the bloom
Of beauty! heiress of our broad lands too!
Pennyless orphan, is she meet for you?”
Thus was Paul greeted when he came to tell,
That he had loved their Lisette long and well.
Her heart’s first fondness, to the orphan Paul.
But fortune frowned on Paul: then marvel not,
That Lisette’s parents frowned, and spurned a lot,
Of humble happiness for her, for whom,
They heaped up riches.—“Lisette in the bloom
Of beauty! heiress of our broad lands too!
Pennyless orphan, is she meet for you?”
Thus was Paul greeted when he came to tell,
That he had loved their Lisette long and well.
He loved her with the passionate devotion
Of a young heart that knew no other faith,
And in his spirit’s agonized emotion,
Vowed, “Love and Lisette,—or despair and death!”
But Lisette now, no longer met his view,
And death is slow in answering to the call
Of youth and sorrow.—Hope has power too,
And prompted happier musings to young Paul;
Told of wealth won! and Lisette all his own;
Bade the poor orphan rouse him and begone;
Whispered of realms where the red rubies shine,
And prompted day-dreams of Golconda’s mine!
Of a young heart that knew no other faith,
And in his spirit’s agonized emotion,
Vowed, “Love and Lisette,—or despair and death!”
But Lisette now, no longer met his view,
And death is slow in answering to the call
Of youth and sorrow.—Hope has power too,
And prompted happier musings to young Paul;
Told of wealth won! and Lisette all his own;
Bade the poor orphan rouse him and begone;
Whispered of realms where the red rubies shine,
And prompted day-dreams of Golconda’s mine!
Twas long since they had met: at least, ’twas long
For those who only seem to live when meeting.
Strange now to Paul was Lisette’s merry song,
Strange to Lisette, her lover’s joyful greeting;—
No longer now, was Paul allowed to cheat
The tedious hours upon market-day;
Nor guide, with all a lover’s care, the feet
Of Lisette’s mule, along the winding way:
For those who only seem to live when meeting.
Strange now to Paul was Lisette’s merry song,
Strange to Lisette, her lover’s joyful greeting;—
No longer now, was Paul allowed to cheat
The tedious hours upon market-day;
Nor guide, with all a lover’s care, the feet
Of Lisette’s mule, along the winding way:
