THE STRANGE GUEST.
Mirth and dancing, music playing,
Song and jest alone are heard;
And the bride with joy is laughing
At the bridegroom’s generous cheer.
“Listen, servants! men and women!”
Cries the bridegroom, wild with joy.
“Open pantry, open cellars—
Eat and drink without alloy.”
Mirth and dancing, by a table
Sits an unknown guest and cries:
“Hoj! for one dance with that maiden,
Life I’d give, like him who dies.”
Once they danced around the chamber,
Lo, the smile died on her face.
Twice they danced and pale her features,
Pale like snow in that wild pace.
“Ho! Art pale indeed, my loved one!
Does thy memory start with pain?
Is it hard to see thy Zdenko,
On thy wedding day again?”
On the third round they have entered—
In her ear he whispers low;
Senseless from his clasp she swooneth,
In the bridegroom’s arms falls slow.
