V. Ah me! what lovely tints are there! In spikes, in branches, and in stars, This heap of earth o'ergrown with moss, Is like an infant's grave in size, As like as like can be: But never, never any where, An infant's grave was half so fair. VI. Now would you see this aged Thorn, This Pond, and beauteous Hill of moss, You must take care and chuse your time The mountain when to cross. For oft there sits, between the Heap That's like an infant's grave in size, And that same Pond of which I spoke, A Woman in a scarlet cloak, And to herself she cries, "Oh misery! oh misery! "Oh woe is me! oh misery!" VII. At all times of the day and night And she is known to every star, And there beside the Thorn she sits Or frosty air is keen and still, And to herself she cries, "Oh misery! oh misery! "Oh woe is me! oh misery!" VIII. "Now wherefore, thus, by day and night, "In rain, in tempest, and in snow, "Thus to the dreary mountain-top "Does this poor Woman go? "And why sits she beside the Thorn "Or when the whirlwind's on the hill, "And wherefore does she cry ?. "Oh wherefore? wherefore? tell me why "Does she repeat that doleful cry?" IX. I cannot tell; I wish I could; For the true reason no one knows : But if you'd gladly view the spot, The Heap that's like an infant's grave, The Pond-and Thorn, so old and grey, Pass by her door-'tis seldom shut And, if you see her in her hut, Then to the spot away!— I never heard of such as dare Approach the spot when she is there. X. "But wherefore to the mountain-top, "Can this unhappy Woman go, "Whatever star is in the skies, "Whatever wind may blow?" Nay rack your brain-'tis all in vain, But to the Thorn, and to the Pond Perhaps, when you are at the place, XI. I'll give you the best help I can : Before you up the mountain go, 'Tis now some two and twenty years, Her company to Stephen Hill; And she was blithe and gay, And she was happy, happy still Whene'er she thought of Stephen Hill, XII. And they had fix'd the wedding-day, The morning that must wed them both; But Stephen to another Maid Had sworn another oath; And with this other Maid to church |