’Tis vain—her noontide strength has fled—

She falls upon the shore.

One eager bound—the Hunter’s knife

Sank deep to end her struggling life;

Yet, e’en as flashed the murd’rous blade,

There came a shrill and plaintive cry:

The Hind was not—a beauteous maid

Lay gasping with upbraiding eye.

The glossy head and neck were gone,

The snowy furs that clasped her round;