A Maiden Sat Beneath A Tree

'A maiden sat beneath a tree; Tear-bedewed her pale cheeks be, And she sigheth heavily. 'From forth the wood into the light A hunter strides with carol light, And a glance so bold and bright. 'He careless stopped and eyed the maid: 'Why weepest thou ?' he gently said; 'I love thee well, be not afraid.' 'He takes her hand and leads her on — She should have waited there alone, For he was not her chosen one. 'He leans her head upon his breast — She knew 'twas not her home of rest, But, ah, she had been sore distrest. 'The sacred stars looked sadly down; The parting moon appeared to frown, To see thus dimmed the diamond crown. 'Then from the thicket starts a deer — The huntsman, seizing on his spear Cries, 'Maiden, wait thou for me here.' 'She sees him vanish into night — She starts from sleep in deep affright, For it was not her own true knight. 'Though but in dream Gunhilda failed — Though but a fancied ill assailed — Though she but fancied fault bewailed — 'Yet thought of day makes dream of night; She is not worthy of the knight; The inmost altar burns not bright. 'If loneliness thou canst not bear — Cannot the dragon's venom dare — Of the pure meed thou shoulds't despair. 'Now sadder that lone maiden sighs; Far bitterer tears profane her eyes; Crushed in the dust her heart's flower lies.'