- THUS sued the youth, in accents low,
- " Oh, sing me that sweet air again !"
- The maiden touched the quivering strings,
- And warbled forth love's thrilling stain.
- " Oh, sing me that sweet air again ! "
- The lay once more the maiden sung;
- While on her words, in music given,
- The kneeling lover fondly hang.
- " Oh, sing that air again," he said;
- " For ever I could bend to hear;
- For ever drink the melody
- Now falling on my charmed ear."
- " Enough ! " Thus spoke a sterner voice.
- Quick sprung the lover to his feet:
- No Gentle maiden's tender eyes
- Are those his startled glances meet.
- " Away !"—a hand impatient waved—
- " Away ! When deeds of valor prove
- Thy heart with manhood's pulses strong,
- Here kneel again, and sue for love."
- " Oh, sing me that sweet air again ! "
- 'Twas thus the kneeling lover sued:
- Years had passed by, and now his hands
- Were with his brother's blood imbued.
- More worthy he of woman's love,
- For deeds of daring he had done:
- Green laurels decked his sterner brow,
- Amid the din of battle won.
- Thank God, the world is better now;
- And maiden's heart may gently yield,
- E'en though her lover have not proved
- His manhood on the battle-field.
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