'A maiden sat beneath a tree; br Tear-bedewed her pale cheeks be, br And she sigheth heavily. br br 'From forth the wood into the light br A hunter strides with carol light, br And a glance so bold and bright. br br 'He careless stopped and eyed the maid: br 'Why weepest thou ?' he gently said; br 'I love thee well, be not afraid.' br br 'He takes her hand and leads her on — br She should have waited there alone, br For he was not her chosen one. br br 'He leans her head upon his breast — br She knew 'twas not her home of rest, br But, ah, she had been sore distrest. br br 'The sacred stars looked sadly down; br The parting moon appeared to frown, br To see thus dimmed the diamond crown. br br 'Then from the thicket starts a deer — br The huntsman, seizing on his spear br Cries, 'Maiden, wait thou for me here.' br br 'She sees him vanish into night — br She starts from sleep in deep affright, br For it was not her own true knight. br br 'Though but in dream Gunhilda failed — br Though but a fancied ill assailed — br Though she but fancied fault bewailed — br br 'Yet thought of day makes dream of night; br She is not worthy of the knight; br The inmost altar burns not bright. br br 'If loneliness thou canst not bear — br Cannot the dragon's venom dare — br Of the pure meed thou shoulds't despair. br br 'Now sadder that lone maiden sighs; br Far bitterer tears profane her eyes; br Crushed in the dust her heart's flower lies.