Classic Poem

" Trudchen! Trudchen! " teased the maids,
Laughed the lads of gallant mien;
" Leave your gloomy forest glades!
Join our dance upon the green! "

Trudchen never turned her head;
Light as wind-blown thistledown
Up the woodland path she sped
Far above the step-roofed town.

" Trudchen! Trudchen! " sang the birds,
Called the squirrels, high in air;
" Here are lilies, white as curds,
Velvet moss and maidenhair.

" Stay with us, oh, Sweet, Sweet, Sweet!
Play with us, and fear no harm! "
Onward flew her constant feet;
Pause or word had broke the charm.

Soon beside the pool she stood,
Underneath the cliff-walled hill
Shadowed by the ancient wood
Bordered by the sparkling kill;

Bending low, with coral mouth
Sipped the waters of the well;
Closed her eyes and faced the south;
Wished her wish and spoke the spell:

" Wizard chief, whose haunted cave
Hides where mountain-laurels cling;
Red Moaqua, thou that gave
Secret gifts to bless thy spring,

" Hear the words my grandam taught!
Hear the unforgotten spell!
Own the charm thy magic wrought!
Grant the wish I may not tell! "

Steered where Spuyten Duyvil Kill
Drinks of Hudson's ample flow,
Driven with a lusty will
Landward rode the broad bateau.

Rich in peltries, plain and pied,
Spoil of beaver, mink, and deer,
Marten fur and panther hide,
Gaily came the pioneer.

Home! from wilds and craggy caves,
Lairs of beasts and savage men.
" Trudchen! Trudchen! " lisped the waves;
" We have brought him home again! "

Light o'er rock and fallen bole
Leaped the youth in glad surprise;
Soft behind the girl he stole,
Gently kissed the hooded eyes.

Tulip-tree, whose mighty shade
Gives the well a deeper hue,
Tell the wish that Trudchen made!
Tell me — did that wish come true?