Page:Bohemian legends and other poems.djvu/173



Mary and Hannah, two beautiful girls,
 * That bloom like the roses in spring.

And which the fairest, oh nobody knows,
 * They are flowers that bloom in spring.

Should she speak to a youth, gentle and soft,
 * In fire he’d spring for her sake.

Should the other smile, forgotten the first,
 * Forgotten the first for her sake.

Midnight is near, and the night it is dark;
 * But the wee stars are shining bright.

They shine round the moon, like sheep round the crook
 * Of shepherd that watches by night.

Midnight is near, ’tis the mystical night,
 * The night when our Saviour was born.

On the new-fallen snow footsteps are seen, They lead to the willow forlorn.

Down on her knees the maiden is gazing
 * The other one stands by her side.

Hannah, dear Hannah, oh gold heart, now say,
 * What is it the future can hide?”

I see a cottage—but all in a mist—
 * Like the one Veník is building.

The mist is clearing oh, now I see clear,
 * A door, and some one near standing.

His coat is dark green yes, green is his coat,
 * His hat on one side—now I see;

The flowers I gave him, stuck on one side, My God! ’tis my Veník I see.”