The mountain Democrat., 1865-01-07


there lies little lake, which we will call
the lake oi tue Ao0",. Serapss IN Tss:.lSo
wear the haif silver, Gan golden tint Of
the moonlight when the night is calm and
clear. On every side the blue hills shut
it out from the lowering tempest and the
keen northern blast; only at eve, when,
like ball of fire, the moon lifts her red
brow from behind them, a warm breeze
stirs its Silly tide into scarcely percepti-
BILE wavelets. At the foot of its guardian
hills, throng clusters Of lordly trees and
smelling shrubs, while yet sweeter flow
rets bedeck its messy banks and lade eve.
ry passing zephyr with their fragrance
The lake itself is clear as the mirror Of a
goddess, and reflects in its placid bosom
each purple cloud that floats above, or
each emigrans swallow -tsESt'wings It's taE
! i'd war xehwart the holBtains' CO -
some warmer cline.
Here, then, in this sweet solitude, was
the home of the gentle Water Lily whom
the poets Of all ages have rightly named
the Queen Of the Waters.
And such, indeed, she was; and such,
too, did the white Swan think her, as he
sailed in over narrowing circles around the
spot where she lifted her graceful head
above the wave, gazing the while so low.
ingly upon her, that her every leaf and
petal quivered with coy delight. Fain
would he have poured forth his love in one
rich gush Of melody-fain would he have
won a single sigh from her IN answer to
all his low Sighs of passion that found
! form, indeed, in song, sweet and tender as
: the breathings Of an Kolian harp, yet
rousing only disdain in her to whose love.
illness they were hymned.
Then, ere yet the moon was high in the
heavens, the Swan would spread his broad
! pinions and fly far, far away, until he be.
came as speck in the blue distance, and
the scornful Lily would bow down her
head and slumber peacefully amid her
shcltcring leaves.
But when at dawn she awakened TO the
sunbcam's kiss, the fresh breeze rustlcd
to her side, and as he FLASHED up the lake
around her, and bathcd her thirsty bios
SONS in cool showers Of dew, he mur-
INJURED:
oh Queen hast thou no message, no
word for the faithful Swan. for 10 he dieth
for thee? passed by him to day, aud
he prayed me to watt his Sighs to thy ear,
that thou mghtest, perchance, hear them
and yield TO his prayer.
But the Water Lily answered him scorn-
fully, well mayest thou watt his signs and
prayers to me, o Breeze; but till his song
shall transcend all others as to be worthy
of the peerless Queen of the Lakes, till
then shalt thou wait them to me in vain
Then the Breeze left her and fed away
to the sorrowing Swan, to tell him her
words and give what comfort he might.
Alas! vain was comfort TO the Swan. He
turned to his kindly friend, murmuring,
Away, o Breeze, away to thy work Of
blessing on the earth; joy and health may
est thou bring to many one, but naught
brings health to such heart
And again that evening the Swan wing
ed his rapid way to the lake, and again he
sailed around the place where the Lily re-
posed in the full pride Of her spotless
beauty. Then lie sang, and the other
birds huShed their notes to this love. taught
songSter; but still the Lily turned from
her lover; still She cried Not yet! and
once more the Swan sped back, nigh dc.
SpalllnS, 10 MS lplHe.
And when the Breeze came in the morn
ing to the Lily, carrying with him the
>ighS and cntreatics Of the hapless woocr,
she sent the same message back.
Evening cast is long shadows over land
and water, The sun went down in daz
zling glow of gold and purple, all the flow
erS around were preparing for slumber,
only the Lily waited silently and wonder
ingly. 'llc is latc,' She whispered, will
he not come? Has my scorn driven him
away forever?' Strange as it was she felt
pang shoot through her heart at the
very thought. Il do not love him. she
sighed, and yet without him I'm sad. -
VIII he tarry long? But See what white
spcck is that, far over the hills, where the
moon sheds a faint, fair light over the
sloping SUBMITS? 'TiS he, the fond, the
faithful Swan, but how slowly and how
languidly he breasts the night brccze-hc
who was wont to hasten so swiftly to his
own sweet lovc?'
Nearer and nearer he comes, and at last
he drops slowly, on the mirrored depths,
but a little space from the lcaty couch of
the Water Queen. Then gradually his
sweet tones rose on the Silly air, low and
soft at first, but swelling higher and high
er, till they burst forth in such a glorious
flood Of music, that all the flowers woke
from their slumbers TO hearken, and the
noble trees and bushes bowed their heads
togcther,a and the birds in their nests peep.
ed un; wondering what creature it was
that thus outyied them all Then the
stately Lily bent down, and weeping,
mourncd-'O Swan! D beautiful Swan!
truly is thy song worthy ever Of the Wa
ter Queen!
But darker and darker grew the face of
7 the night, and the gathering gloom
grew those sweet notes lower and lower,
till at last each ray Of light had died off
behind its pail, the most thrilling melody
ceased.
Then deep stiffness fell upon the lake,
and the Lily lifted her head again. and
listened if aught Of sound or ripple might
be heard, but she listened in vain. for all
was silent, and she could discover naught
through the darkness. Then she cried:
Beautiful Swan, wherefore dost thou de.
lay TO meet me! Lo, wait for thee, yet
thou contest not cruel one! wilt thou
desert me now that thou hast won my
hearty
Then suddenly a cool breath passed
athwart her brow, twas the breath Of the
evening Breeze, as he paused once more
by her side, whispering: Hitherto, proud
flower, have brought thee siehs. and
messages of love above, and thou hast an.
swered them with contempt; see now,
bring thee richer offering still, wilt thou
spurn that too!'
lie had spoken truly; on the wave he
foated towards her was upborne the life
less body of the Swan. for in that won.