Thus sweetly urged, she tunes her soft guitar,
While the still evening sends her notes afar;
Quick at the sound, her music-loving boy
Stands at her side, partaker of their joy;
His playmate too, the shaggy dog, sits by,
Observing all with meek obedient eye.
And now her fingers sweep the tuneful strings,
As thus, with trembling voice, she plaintive sings:
Gently, gently, beating heart!
Love not earthly things too well;