THE LADYE, THE LOVER, AND THE CROCUS.

A LEGEND OF LOVE.

THE Ladye was fair as Ladye could be,
And had lands both broad and fine,
And was wooed by bold Barons of high degree,

Yet blushed at a suit like mine.

She lent to them all a ready ear,

Joined hands with them in the dance;
And each deemed himself to her most dear,
While cheered by her sunny glance.

Her voice was gay, and her step was light
Mid them, in hall and bower,

But soon 'neath my gaze she shrank, as a blight
Withers the summer-flower.

And then she shunned me, as the dove,

When the hawk soars, shuns her fate:

And I I deemed not this was Love,

That looked so much like hate.

I seemed a shadow in her path,

A cloud upon her sky,

I deemed it scorn, perchance e'en wrath,

I call them nothings-for they showed

Nought noble save a name.

And flowers were offered-and I brought
Mine from the brook's bright rim,
With Autumn's Crocuses: not wrought

Into a garland trim,

But they were wild, and fresh, and sweet,

And innocent and fair

As she whom others sought to greet

With off'rings rich and rare.

Yet a rose-wreath her brow entwined,

By daring suitor placed ;

A gay exotic was enshrined

Close by her girdled waist.

My humbler offering she took,

Red, trembling, as in scorn,

Nor deigned vouchsafe me e'en a lookAnd 'twas her birth-day morn!

Oh! had her angel eye the power

To kill, or turn to stone,

I'd better borne such glance that hour Than that averted one.

My fond wild dream was o'er;—

I would but mingle in the crowd

And gaze on her once more.

It was the evening of that day,

That day when laughter glad

Rang out, mid dance and mirthful play, From some— - while I was sad.

'Twas evening, and the crowded hall

Mocked the less dazzling day;

And rainbow-like the hues that all

Shone in that festal ray.

And when the minstrel-melody

Rang out in cadence loud,

Then with a heavy heart did I

Mingle in that gay crowd:

For all were then so deep intent
Upon their own delight,

That not one curious glance was bent
On me-poor woe-eyed wight!

I looked the gay ranks through; but not
A sight of her could gain-
I gazed and gazed-and, lest a spot

Escaped, looked through again.

She was not there-and then the Hall,

Before so bright, seemed dim;

Alas! in Lover's eye, what change
One form doth make to him.

And on I passed through gay saloons
Where guests by three and two

Were list'ning to the softened tones
O' the music, and some few,

Methought, were whispering words which they
No doubt, far sweeter knew.