108
By the Fireside.
Thy skill shall be vaunted far and wide
When they behold him at my side.
And poor Baptiste, what sayest thou?
It must seem long to him;—methinks I see him now! ”
Jane, shuddering, her hand doth press:
“ Thy love I cannot all approve;
We must not trust too much to happiness;—
Go, pray to God, that thou mayst love him less!”
“ The more I pray, the more I love!
It is no sin, for God is on my side!”
It was enough; and Jane no more replied.
When they behold him at my side.
And poor Baptiste, what sayest thou?
It must seem long to him;—methinks I see him now! ”
Jane, shuddering, her hand doth press:
“ Thy love I cannot all approve;
We must not trust too much to happiness;—
Go, pray to God, that thou mayst love him less!”
“ The more I pray, the more I love!
It is no sin, for God is on my side!”
It was enough; and Jane no more replied.
Now to all hope her heart is barred and cold;
But to deceive the beldame old
She takes a sweet, contented air;
Speak of foul weather or of fair,
At every word the maiden smiles!
Thus the beguiler she beguiles;
But to deceive the beldame old
She takes a sweet, contented air;
Speak of foul weather or of fair,
At every word the maiden smiles!
Thus the beguiler she beguiles;
