ROM many a dark delicious ripple

The Moonbeams drank ethereal tipple;

Whilst over Eastern grove and dell

The perfumed breeze of evening fell,

And the young Bulbul warbling gave

Her music to the answering wave.

But not alone the Bulbul's note

Bade Echo strike her silver lute,

Nor fell the music of her dream

Alone on waving wood and stream;

For thro' the twilight blossoms stray'd,

Enamour'd youth, and fairy maid;

And mingled with her warblings lone

A voice of sweet and playful tone.

"And ah!" the gentlest accents said,

"You bid me name the Task;

"But if you love me as you vow,

"Then give me what I ask!

"No quest for errant knight have I,

"No deed of high emprize;

"No giant Tartars to be slain,

"In homage to my eyes."

"Oh, take my life!" her lover cried,

"Nor break this dream of bliss;

"Take house, or head, or lands, or fame—

"Take evry thing but this,—

"To gaze upon those silken braids

"Unenvious be my part;

"I could not steal one golden tress,

"To bind it round my heart.

"Tho' all the pearls of Ind were strung

"Upon a single hair,

"I would not cut the shiner off,—

"I wouldn't, Za', I swear."

The lady laughed a careless laugh,—

"While downward flows the river,

"The lover who bids for Zadie's heart

"And hand must make up his mind to part

With the Gift, or part for ever!"

"Remorseless Nymph!" exclaimed the youth,

"Thus stick'ling for a curl,—

"Delilah was a joke to you.

"Excruciating girl;—

"Sole Empress of the breast of Fi,

"What can the object be,

"For you to get a Lock for which

"You ne'er can get a Key?

"Just think, if I should wear a wig,

"How would you like me, Zadie?

"I'm sure you'll give it up, my sweet,

"Do—there's a gentle Lady!"

The Maiden laugh'd a silv'ry laugh;—

"The white stars set and shiver;

"The lover who bids for Zadie's heart

"And hand, must make up his mind to part

"With the Gift—or part for ever"