And hearts of sternest courage would falter and bend to me."

O deep and solemn Forest,

O sadly whispering Forest,

O lonely moaning Forest, that murmureth evermore!

When never a footstep wandered across thy sheltered meadows,

When never a wild bird squandered his music mid thy shadows,

What didst thou then, O Forest? Didst robe thyself in green,

And pride thyself in beauty the while to be unseen?