"Of all her granite piling The secret make he knows, And down amid her toiling Unweariedly he goes. "He is unto her plighted, And tenderly allied,-- Becomes by her delighted, As if she were his bride. "New love each day is burning For her within his breast, No toil or trouble shunning, She leaveth him no rest. "To him her voice is swelling In solemn, friendly rhyme, The mighty stories telling Of long-evanished time. "The Fore-world's holy breezes Around his temples play, And caverned night releases To him a quenchless ray. "On every side he greeteth A long familiar land, And willingly she meeteth The labors of his hand. "For helpful waves are flowing Along his mountain course, And rocky holds are showing Their treasures' secret source. "Toward his monarch's palace He guides the golden stream, And diadem and chalice With noble jewels gleam. "Though faithfully his treasure He renders to the king, He liveth poor with pleasure, And makes no questioning. "And though beneath him daily They fight for gold and gain, Above here let him gaily The lord of earth remain." The song pleased Henry exceedingly, and he begged the old man to sing another. He was willing to gratify him, saying, "I know one song that is very strange, and of whose origin we ourselves are ignorant. A travelling miner, who came to us from a distance, and who was a curious diviner with a wand, brought it with him. The song became a favorite because it was so peculiar,--nearly as dark and obscure as the music itself; but on that very account singularly attractive, and like a dream between sleeping and waking. "I know where is a castle strong, With stately king in silence reigning, Attended by a wondrous throng, Yet deep within its walls remaining. His pleasure-hall is far aloof, With viewless warders round it gliding, And only streams familiar sliding Toward him from the sparry roof. "Of what they see with lustrous eyes, Where all the stars in light are dwelling, They faithfully the king apprize, And never are they tired of telling. He bathes himself within their flood, So daintily his members washing, And all his light again is flashing Throughout his mother's[2] paly blood.