594 Songs of a Summer Night. [Dxei 
tree, crying out in short and sharp chirrups, wondering:with each other; 
and in as much consternation ‘as though the ring-burning fairies were 
holding their circular revelries, and roystering in all their mad and mis- 
chievous mirth. te) aakit 
A burst of gaiety had died away and all the party remained silent,— 
some preparing materials for a fresh sally of humour, others, in sympathy 
with the beauty and stillness of the approaching night, wishing for a 
continuation of the silence, and thinking the company of treasured 
thoughts and recollections of by-gone days, and cherished memories of 
some hallowed forms, would be more in unison with that sweet and 
quiet hour. A few might be seen resting their heads on the green banks, 
thinking of nothing in the world, and preferring at that moment the soft 
cool kiss of the grass, in which they closely nestled their faces,—faces 
which had through the day been glared upon by the dazzling eye of the 
summer sun—to any other kisses or lips whatever. Among them was a 
lady of peculiar beauty, and to whom the gallants were particularly 
obsequious; though the envy she might have caused among the other 
beauties present, from her monopoly of all the compliments, knightly 
speeches and flourishes of wit, was entirely subdued by the seeming 
unconsciousness that they were particularly addressed to her, and the 
grace and playfulness with which she made every subject a matter of 
general converse, so that all might participate in the colloquial collation. 
But though her eyes would sometimes sparkle and, beam with the 
laughter of her heart, yet a pensiveness and tender melancholy would 
steal over her fair countenance, and the smile would often be followed by 
a sigh, even as clouds are seen to sail over the sunshine of the young 
spring day. Again the conversation was resumed, and from its earnest- 
ness it appeared some proposition had been made, to which a majority of 
the party seemed readily to assent. First there were loud and short 
sentences, then speeches of solicitation and petulant replies, then the 
laugh and the brief silence, then again a bandying of words; at length 
a yielding from one, and a murmur of satisfaction from the rest, proved 
a point to have been gained: for some resumed their reclining positions 
from which the previous debate had disturbed them, others bent forward 
in the act of attentively listening, and the preparations for a general 
stillness augured that one of the party was about to sing: and after a 
short prelude of silence, a soft, clear, and lute-like yoice tremulously 
commenced a plaintive song. It was from the lady whose loveliness and 
courtesy had made her the queen of the gay assemblage. She essayed 
a ballad of ill-requited love, of forgotten vows and youth’s tears; but 
suddenly ceased, for a tremor had either deprived her of the command 
of her voice, or the pensive air she was singing had awakened heart- 
sleeping thoughts and painful feelings. The company endeavoured to 
cheer her spirits, and strengthen her confidence—when she smiled, and 
passing her hand across her sweet eyes, recommenced; but changed 
her theme to one light and inspiring. It was a roundelay at that’ time 
known by the name of “ Love’s Tourney,” and in a “ quick volume ‘of 
~ wild notes” was heard 31.08, 770TH 
jC f at} 
_ THE LADY’S SONG. Ah. 
; iO. I9V io 
Au me! what a sight the lists display! ; salugoy tn 
Fierce has the tourney been to-day ; Mert yltng: 
Shivered lances and blades are seen, MF Ce 
Strewing the ground where the fray has been, @ re bad 
i iJ @0F SOEhe NOB «f\ 
