The grand estate—the ancient hall,
The woods, and wealth untold,
Came then unto that warrior’s child,
A boy of ten years old.
He was a thoughtful, quiet boy,
For though yet young in years,
His mother’s sorrows and his own
Had made him old in tears.
And with a calm and gentle joy
Came home that youthful heir,
For his chief source of gladness was,
To bring his mother there:—
To watch her sadly smile to see
Again each well-known spot,
Where days of happiness had passed,
That ne’er could be forgot:—
To have her former state restored,
Maidens, and serving-men;
And garments, richer than of old,
He bade them bring her then.
The gardens, that the miser had
Left all untrimmed and bare,
Were planted, pruned, and decked anew,
And stored with all things rare.
But chiefly did the lady love
One glade within the wood,
The shady glade, where broad and high,
The noble Oak tree stood.
Sad memories, yet sweet ones too,
For her that lone spot bore:
’Twas there she parted from her lord
To meet on earth no more!
’Twas there, beneath that tree, he spoke
His last, last fond farewell!
From thence she watched him ride away
The eve before he fell:—
No marvel that sad lady loved
The silent spot so well!
And there they oft together came,
The lady and the boy,
For he to her was all on earth,
Her one sole living joy.