Thy pleasant tale has charmed mine ear,

How the great king thy father held

That Maiden's Choice unparalleled.

But now the sun has sunk from sight,

And left the world to holy Night.

Hark! how the leafy thickets sound

With gathering birds that twitter round:

They sought their food by day, and all

Flock homeward when the shadows fall.

See, hither comes the hermit band,