Page:Poems Sigourney 1827.pdf/113

Within a neighbouring hamlet's bound
    In manly beauty's ardent grace,
Christiern his humble dwelling found
    Amid the miner's hardy race.

He oft beheld Ulrica's hand
    A part in rural labour take,
To bind the sheaf with pliant band,
    Or steer the light boat o'er the lake.

He mark'd the varying toil bestow
    On her pure cheek a richer dye,
And saw enlivening spirits flow
    In dazzling radiance from her eye.

Oft in the holy house of prayer
    Where weekly crowds assembling bow,
He mark'd the meek and reverent air
    Which shed new lustre o'er her brow.

And soon no joy his heart might share
    Unless her soft smile met his view,
And soon he thought no scene was fair
    Unless her eye admired it too.

And duly as the shadows fleet
    O'er closing day, with silence fraught,
Young Christiern with his lute so sweet
    Ulrica's peaceful mansion sought.

Long had the gossip's mystic speech
    Deep knowledge of their love profest,
Before the timid lip of each
    The cherish'd secret had exprest.