Classic Poem

Know ye the willow-tree
Whose grey leaves quiver,
Whispering gloomily
To yon pale river?
Lady, at eventide
Wander not near it:
They say its branches hide
A sad, lost spirit!

Once to the willow-tree
A maid came fearful;
Pale seemed her cheek to be,
Her blue eye tearful
Soon as she saw the tree,
Her step moved fleeter;
No one was there — ah me!
No one to meet her!

Quick beat her heart to hear
The far bells' chime
Toll from the chapel-tower
The trysting-time:
But the red sun went down
In golden flame,
And though she looked round,
Yet no one came!

Presently came the night,
Sadly to greet her, —
Moon in her silver light,
Stars in their glitter;
Then sank the moon away
Under the billow,
Still wept the maid alone —
There by the willow!

Through the long darkness,
By the stream rolling,
Hour after hour went on
Tolling and tolling
Long was the darkness,
Lonely and stilly;
Shrill came the night-wind,
Piercing and chilly

Shrill blew the morning breeze,
Biting and cold,
Bleak peers the grey dawn
Over the wold
Bleak over moor and stream
Looks the grey dawn,
Grey, with dishevelled hair,
Still stands the willow there —
The maid is gone!

Domine, Domine!
Sing we a litany,
Sing for poor maiden-hearts broken and weary,
Domine, Domine!
Sing we a litany,
Wail we and weep we a wild Miserere!