That morn, ere many a star was set, -And now, her strength, her courage spent, She comes along the path she went. And now the village gleams at last; The woods, the golden meadows passed, Where, when, Toulouse, thy splendour shone, While Manchon round and round her played: And, as that silent glen they leave, Where by the spring the pitchers stand, Where glow-worms light their little lamps at eve, And fairies revel as in fairy-land, (When Lubin calls, and Blanche steals round, Her finger on her lip, to see; And many an acorn-cup is found Under the greenwood tree) Sabot, and coif, and collerette, The housewife's prayer, the grandam's blessing! Girls that adjust their locks of jet, And look and look and linger yet, The lovely bride caressing; Babes that had learnt to lisp her name, But what felt D'Arcy, when at length All, all the while-an awful distance keeping; And one, his little hand in hers, Who weeps to see his sister weeping. Then Jacqueline the silence broke. While D'Arcy as before looked on, "His praises from your lips I heard, She, whom in joy, in grief you nursed; On her you thought-but to be kind! Two kneeling at your feet behold; One-one how young ;-nor yet the other old. Oh spurn them not-nor look so cold If Jacqueline be cast away, Her bridal be her dying day. -Well, well might she believe in you! She listened, and she found it true." He shook his aged locks of snow; And twice he turned, and rose to go. "Oh no-begone! I'll hear no more. But, as he spoke, his voice relented. "That very look thy mother wore When she implored, and old Le Roc consented. Yet still I love him as my own! -Nor canst thou, D'Arcy, feel resentment long; And that dear Saint-may she once more descend But now, in my hands, your's with her's unite. Nor let the least be sent away. 6 All hearts shall sing Adieu to sorrow!' St. Pierre has found his child to-day ; And old and young shall dance to-morrow." Had Louis* then before the gate dismounted, Like Henry when he heard recounted t The generous deeds himself had done, *Louis the Fourteenth. Alluding to a popular story related of Henry the Fourth of France similar to ours of "The King and Miller of Mansfield.” ; |