Classic Poem

May-day dawns — a houseless robber
Issues from the forest dim;
Lo! along the hollow pathway
Trips a maiden, fair and slim!

" Hadst thou, 'stead of sweet May-lilies " ,
Spake the forest's lawless son,
" Kingly gems within thy basket,
Scatheless shouldst thou wander on! "

Long the lovely wand'rers figure
Follows he with wistful eyes,
Passing o'er the smiling meadows
On to where the hamlet lies,

Till at length the garden-thicket,
Rich with bloom, her form conceals;
Then the robber, slow returning,
Backward to the forest steals.