Page:The Romance of Nature; or, The Flower-Seasons Illustrated.djvu/334

208 And when the minstrel-melody

Rang out in cadence loud,

Then with a heavy heart did I

Mingle in that gay crowd:

For all were then so deep intent

Upon their own delight,

That not one curious glance was bent

On me—poor woe-eyed wight!

I looked the gay ranks through; but not

A sight of her could gain—

I gazed and gazed—and, lest a spot

Escaped, looked through again.

She was not there—and then the Hall,

Before so bright, seemed dim;

Alas! in Lover's eye, what change

One form doth make to him.

And on I passed through gay saloons

Where guests by three and two

Were list'ning to the softened tones

O' the music, and some few,

Methought, were whispering words which they

No doubt, far sweeter knew.