In this vale where blossoms blow,
Blooming, summer-scented,
'Mid the lilies row by row,
Spreads a field flower-painted.
Here the blackbirds through the dale
Each to each are singing,
And the jocund nightingale
Her fresh voice is flinging.
See the maidens crowned with rose
Sauntering through the grasses!
Who could tell the mirth of those
Laughing, singing lasses?
Or with what a winning grace
They their charms discover,
Charms of form and blushing face,
To the gazing lover?
Down the flowery greenwood glade
As I chanced to wander,
From bright eyes a serving-maid
Shot Love's arrows yonder;
I for her, 'mid all the crew
Of the girls of Venus,
Wait and yearn until I view
Love spring up between us.
Another lyric of complicated rhyming structure introduces a not dissimilar motive, with touches that seem, in like manner, to indicate its German origin. It may be remarked that the lover's emotion has here unusual depth, a strain of sehnsucht; and the picture of the mother followed by her daughter in the country-dance suggests the domesticity of Northern races.
AT THE VILLAGE DANCE.
No. 22.
Meadows bloom, in Winter's room
Reign the Loves and Graces,
With their gift of buds that lift
Bright and laughing faces;
'Neath the ray of genial May,
Shining, glowing, blushing, growing,
They the joys of spring are showing
In their manifold array.
Song-birds sweet the season greet,
Tune their merry voices;
Sound the ways with hymns of praise,
Every lane rejoices.
On the bough in greenwood now
Flowers are springing, perfumes flinging,
While young men and maids are clinging
To the loves they scarce avow.
O'er the grass together pass
Bands of lads love-laden:
Row by row in bevies go
Bride and blushing maiden.
See with glee 'neath linden-tree,
Where the dancing girls are glancing,
How the matron is advancing!
At her side her daughter see!