FROM the Danube was I riding, When she crossed my path to-day; Straight my spur the war-horse chiding, "Speed," I cried, "away!" "Ah!" she said, "your steed detaining, Stay and hear your love's complaining, See how tears my cheeks are staining; Dear Cossack, O stay!" "Well thou knowest when last we parted, Liska, what distress was mine; Almost was I broken-hearted, Now the turn is thine!" "Dear Cossack, forbear to grieve me, Must I lose thee, canst thou leave me? Grief will sure of life bereave me, If I thee resign!" "Break not thus your hands with wringing; Hush the sob, and dry the tear! Soon from battle laurels bringing, Love, expect me here." "Laurels bought with blood alarm me, Glory cannot tempt nor charm me, Ah, there's naught on earth could harm me, Wert thou safe, my dear!" Vain were prayers, and vain was sorrow, Swiftly from her sight I flew, Crying, "If I live to-morrow, I'll return to you." Then with folded arms and sighing, Home she hastened, almost dying, How to find her way for crying, Scarce, poor girl, she knew. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...NOBODY'S LOOKIN' BUT DE OWL AND DE MOON (A NEGRO SERENADE) by JAMES WELDON JOHNSON THE HARD TIMES IN ELFLAND; A STORY OF CHRISTMAS EVE by SIDNEY LANIER THE STARLING; SONNET by AMY LOWELL SURFACES AND MASKS; 4 by CLARENCE MAJOR DOMESDAY BOOK: WIDOW FORTELKA by EDGAR LEE MASTERS THE WIZARD IN WORDS by MARIANNE MOORE |