THE GOLD SPINNING-WHEEL.
PART FIRST.
A forest and a widening plain—
And see a rider comes amain;
From out the forest, on fiery steed,
One hears the horseshoes ring at his speed
As he rides alone, alone.
And by a hamlet down he sprang,
And on the door knocks, bang, bang, bang.
“ Hola within! come open the door!
In hunting I've lost my way once more,
Come, give me water to drink.”
Out came a maiden, wondrous fair,
The world n’er saw such beauty rare—
She brought him water from out the spring,
Bashfully then, made the spin-wheel sing,
As she sat there spinning flax.
The rider stops, is looking on,
Forgotten thirst in that sweet song.
Wondering he watches the fine white thread;
His eyes are fixed on the bowed fair head
Of the beautiful spinner.
“If your hand is free, maiden mine—
My wife thou’lt be for thee I pine.”
He fain would have clasped her to his breast,
But she said, “My mother’s will is best,
And I have no will but hers.”
