Three Sunsets and Other Poems — The Willow-Tree

THE WILLOW-TREE.

The morn was bright, the steeds were light, The wedding guests were gay: Young Ellen stood within the wood And watched them pass away.

She scarcely saw the gallant train: The tear-drop dimmed her ee: Unheard the maiden did complain Beneath the Willow-Tree.

"Oh Robin, thou didst love me well, Till, on a bitter day, She came, the Lady Isabel, And stole thy heart away.

My tears are vain: I live again In days that used to be, When I could meet thy welcome feet Beneath the Willow-Tree.

"Oh Willow gray, I may not stay Till Spring renew thy leaf;

But I will hide myself away, And nurse a lonely grief.

It shall not dim Life's joy for him: My tears he shall not see: While he is by, I'll come not nigh My weeping Willow-Tree.

"But when I die, oh let me lie Beneath thy loving shade, That he may loiter careless by, Where I am lowly laid.

And let the white white marble tell, If he should stoop to see, 'Here lies a maid that loved thee well, Beneath the Willow-Tree.'

" 1859.