The leaves stirred softly overhead,
While from my hand a tale was read,
By laughing lips of rosy red;
0 that slight form so dainty-fair,
That pulsing breast, beyond compare,
That cadenced rise and fall of air! --

"This line, unbroken, deep and long,
Assurance gives of health most strong,
And truely 'twill thy days prolong;
While this, so clear and firm and fine,
Say Cupid's toils about thee twine,
And happiest wedlock will be thine —

"And here, thy disposition gay,
Is quickly learned from lines which say,
That where you go or where you stay,
And yet again, these furrows blent,
One thing alone for thee is meant,
In Love's fond dalliance you've spent

"By this, and this, and this, is told,
Good friends about thee are enrolled,
While Love's delights, so manifold,
Nor sudden sorrow, or swift pain,
Nor misery shall thee enchain;
Nor blighting curse, or dread murrain,

"Yet least among thy pleasures great,
There will a little maiden wait,
With love, as bird feels for its mate,
Ere yet she ceased, I knelt, a thrall,
As to my heart her last words fall, ---
"I've held naught back, so this is all,

0 sweet that rippling flow of sound,
That fairy speech which wrapped me 'roundl
Those magic meshes 'bout me bound,
0 sweet those pure, pellucid eyes,
Whose slightest glance I fondly prize! --
Ah God! in this, my paradise,

It seems but yesterday that we,
With hand in hand, and knee to knee,
Spent one sweet hour in childish glee;
But yesterday, --- Ah well-a-day!
And where is now my little fay,
Who scanned my hand and went away?