“Here Gerda reigns with undisputed sway!”
Pensive awhile she stood; nor was aware
That down her damask cheek had roll’d a tear
Into her lover’s mouth: an ardent flame,
O wonder! from the gelid water came,
And enter’d deep her heart: now with a sigh,
O’er the vase leaning, she exclaim’d: “O Frey!”
Then sudden started back once more, afraid,
Some prying witness might her bower invade:
But when secure that she alone was there,