Page:Bohemian legends and other poems.djvu/146

 But why so pale and wan, my son— Say, have you any pain?” I could not sleep the whole night long,
 * For the moonlight shining plain.”

And when his mother slept in peaepeace [sic],
 * And all the stars were shining,

The youth beheld her once again,
 * Amidst the pine trees sighing.

He saw the woman—heard her song,
 * Resound in forest lonely.

Before the youth she glided on,
 * He followed somewhat slowly.

He followed, followed on her steps—
 * A precipice is yawning—

She glides before—he steps behind—
 * Alas! love and its longing!

In the dark field, beneath the rock,
 * On moss the youth lies sleeping,

On high the pale moon casts her light
 * On the dead face, past weeping.

At home his mother sorrows sad;
 * The wood nymph killed her son.

Because he kissed his mother dear,
 * The poor youth’s days were done.