The Willow-Tree
Three Sunsets and Other Poems
The morn was bright, the steeds were light,The wedding guests were gay:Young Ellen stood within the woodAnd watched them pass away.She scarcely saw the gallant train:The tear-drop dimmed her ee:Unheard the maiden did complainBeneath 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 againIn days that used to be,When I could meet thy welcome feetBeneath the Willow-Tree.
"Oh Willow gray, I may not stayTill 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 nighMy weeping Willow-Tree.
"But when I die, oh let me lieBeneath 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.