1828.] [ 237 3 



THE LOVER'S GRAVE: 

 A LEGEND FROM THE GERMAN. 



" Rest thee, rest thee, lovely stranger, 



Now the eve is falling dim ; 

 Wilt thou tempt the forest-ranger 



Wilt thou tempt the torrent's brim ? 

 Hark ! the thunder in the mountains ; 



Hark ! the river's rising roar, 

 Rushing from its thousand fountains ! 



Rest thee, till the storm is o'er." 



" Gallant hunter, I must wander 



Over hill and over wave : 

 See the spirit beckons yonder 



That must lead me to my grave ! ' 

 On she passed ; the moor-fiend's taper 



Swept before, bright, blue, and cold, 

 Gleaming o'er his steed of vapour ; 



On she passed through wood and wold. 



" Rest thee, rest thee, lovely maiden ! 



Rest thee in the baron's hall : 

 Thou shalt go to-morrow, laden 



With the gold and purple pall. 

 Thou shalt have the topaz ring ; 



Thou shalt have the pearly chain. 

 See how fierce the lightnings spring ! 



Hark how falls the rushing rain!" 



" Noble baron, I must wander 



Till the silent dead is found : 

 See the spirit beckons yonder, 



Leading to the churchyard mound !" 

 On she passed, through wind and shower, 



Weeping, trembling, lovely, lone : 

 Dark and darker fell the hour ; 



Still the light before her shone. 



" Rest thee, rest thee, weeping beauty, 



Till the stormy night is o'er ; 

 Victim sweet of love and duty, 



Turn thee to the pilgrim's door !" 

 t( I have shunned the hunter's bower ; 



I have shunned the baron's hall : 

 Sorrow is an humble flower 



Fittest for the cottage wall." 



Soft and slow the stranger entered, 



Noble was the voice and air ; 

 Gems were in the turban centered, 



Gems were in the raven hair ; 

 Gems upon the caftan glittered, 



Gems upon the sandal shone ;- 

 But a lip by woe embittered 



Breathed the heavy sigh alone. 



