Page:Bohemian legends and other poems.djvu/39



The forest leaves were bright and green,
 * And soft the zephyr blew.

The mountain peaks were lost to view,
 * In clouds of pearly gray.

With happy steps two Checkish boys Went singing of their many joys,
 * As through the wood they went.

They might have been two happy guests
 * Upon a wedding bent.

They sang of love, they sang of woe,
 * With voices high and sweet;

And oft they sang, that life is fleet,
 * And love as strong as death.

At length the eldest one said, “Wait Here is a splendid tree that fate
 * Has thrown into our way.

We’ll cut it down and make ourselves
 * Two harps this sunny day."

They set about to cut that tree,
 * With boyish laughter wild.

And oft they sang, and oft they smiled,
 * As happily they plied.

But when they reached the inmost heart, They both fell back as though a dart
 * Had struck their own young life,

For there a beauteous maiden stood
 * And begged of them her life.