Page:Poems Sigourney 1827.pdf/78

Bold Carloman's undaunted mien
    A hero's spirit shew'd,
Though Beauty on his lip and brow
    Had made her soft abode.—

And Merovee's dark, hazle eye
    With flashing fire was bright,
As thus with flowing words he charm'd
    The leaden ear of night.

"Methinks 't were sweet once more to see
    Our native forest shade,
And the wild streamlet leaping free
    Along the sparkling glade,

"With merry shout, at peep of dawn,
    The hunter's toil to join,
Or in the tiny boat launch forth
    And rule the billowy Rhine."—

He paused,—but Carloman replied,
    "Lurks not some spell behind?—
Why doth thy courtier-tongue delay
    To name fair Rosalind?—

"Those raven locks, that lofty brow,
    That ebon eye of pride,
With firm, yet tender glance, might well
    Beseem a warrior's bride."

With trembling voice, he scarce pursued,
    "Why should we shrink to say
How much we both have loved the maid?—
    Yet on our parting day