He met a forester as bold;

O’er the fierce conflict frown’d the wood,

And drank with thirsty roots his blood.

Yon bank demands a pitying look,

Where life a gentler breast forsook;[[20]]

Sole comfort of an aged pair!

The true-love of a damsel fair!—

At prime of dawn he stepp’d away;

Long was the journey, short the day;

The wint’ry blast blew loud and chill;