Classic Poem

" O, tell me, my daughter, why is it, that now
There's a tear in thine eye, and a cloud on thy brow?
Thy footsteps no longer are light in the vale.
And the cheek, once so rosy, is haggard and pale.

" I will bring thee, my daughter, a garland so fair,
To entwine in the locks of thy dark waving hair. "
" Its freshness will fade, and its bloom will decay.
Then weave me no wreaths that will wither away. "

" I will bring thee a gem, that shall sparkle as bright
As the planet that flames on the girdle of night. "
" I ask not thy jewels, their splendor is vain,
They will soothe not my slumbers, will ease not my pain. "

" Oh weep not, my daughter, while others are gay,
It is not for thee to be grieving to day;
Let sorrow no longer o'ershadow thy charms,
For thy long absent lover has come to thine arms. "

The gloom passed sway from the brow of his child;
Full deeply she crimsoned, but sweetly she smiled;
And soon by her lover, the maiden did stand,
With a wreath in her tresses, a gem on her hand.