Page:Cheskian Anthology.pdf/270

 "—God in heaven be with thee, lovely maid!"

"And God be with thee, man of noble blood!"

"What is that village far within the glade,

And what and whose is this fair neighbourhood?"

"That village, gentle sir! is Desolation;

'Tis a day's journey from the nearest station

On the high way—unless like you, indeed,

The traveller's mounted on a sturdy steed."

spoke the affrighted maiden, and hung down—

Alarm'd at her own words—her heaven-blue eyes.

A fiery passion through the breast has flown,

Of the rapt prince, and thus the prince replies:—

"Now tell me, maiden! in what Lord's dominion

"This village lies—in faith—I’m of opinion

That when to wandering way-lost knight you spoke

Of 'Desolation' you but meant to joke."