II.

A fair maid came to Lindsay Hall:
Oh! grand was her array,
With liege and lord, and free and thrall,
And pomp of silken sway;

And acres broad and castles high,
And famous old descent;
And heart with true nobility,
And mind with pure intent

The mother smiled: " She brings thee gold! "
Lord Lindsay turned away:
" Twas steel that built my house of old,
Gold saves it not to-day! "

The mother smiled: " She brings thee love! "
Lord Lindsay turned away:
" So many said — to my fathers dead!
Tho' fair, yet false were they. "

The maiden heard: " Since love nor gold
" Thy brave great heart may gain,
Thou'rt worthy of the faith I fold
Around it like a chain "

Lord Lindsay's at the maiden's feet,
A cloud beneath a star —
Uplit by her — Oh! love is sweet,
But faith is sweeter far!

And as he weds that glorious bride,
Like night to morning wed,
She breathes: " To love is to confide,
" But doubt — and love is dead "