Page:The songs that Quinte sang.djvu/29

Rh And swift from his lips the answer came:
 * “O maiden! I’ll give thee health

And youth and hope and deathless fame,
 * And treasures of golden wealth.”

Then his voice grew soft as the note of a dove, “But best of all, I will give thee love.”

But she wearily turned her head aside
 * As he spake Love’s fatal name.

“Thou dost mock my sorrow, Life!” she cried,
 * “For what to me is fame?

And health and wealth prove worthless too, Since hope is dead and my love untrue.

“O Angel! I spurn thy gifts and thee.”
 * And she turned to his rival, Death,

“And thou! what hast thou in store for me?”
 * She whispered with fleeting breath,

A cool, soft kiss on her brow he pressed, And murmured, “Oblivion, peace and rest.”

And the maiden’s face grew strangely calm
 * At the sound of the angel’s voice,

And she laid her hand in his pale, cold palm.
 * Oh! wise was the maiden’s choice.

And the watchers in silence held their breath As her soul went out to the arms of Death.