Ellen Dean

OF Melusina and the rippling waves,

Of Raymond and the court of Brittany,

Of silver-girded hunters strong and free,

Of that love legend-haunted sea that laves

The shores of bearded Druids and their caves,

Of faithful love accurséd utterly

From glance to kiss, while all the powers three

Of earth and hell and heaven it calmly braves,

They sing to me—and with the sound of song

Are blent the smiling chat and flattering light,

And all the gentle grace of easy time.

What is this cry from generations long,

Who quailed in God’s and peering demons’ sight,

To us? A pleasant evening and a rhyme!