Beside a lake of water, clear as glass,

The time-worn windows of a stone house gleamed,

Named only 'Alas.'

Yet happy as the wild birds in the glades

Of that green forest, thridding the still air

With low continued heedless serenades,

Its heedless people were.

The throbbing chords of violin and lute,

The lustre of lean tapers in dark eyes,

Fair colours, beauteous flowers, dainty fruit

Made earth seem Paradise

To them that dwelt within this lonely house:

Like children of the gods in lasting peace,

They ate, sang, danced, as if each day's carouse

Need never pause, nor cease.

[Pg 62]

Some might cry, Vanity! to a weeping lyre,

Some in that deep pool mock their longings vain,

Came yet at last long silence to the wire,

And dark did dark remain.

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