'Twas the hour when wearied daylight sinks In the arms of the waiting west, And gloaming steals from her purple cave, Bearing her lone star on her breast. When the glades like minster windows gleam With slanting rays of burnished gold, And stealing shadows, in fond embrace, Are creeping the forest to fold. Through the dim and faint-lit forest aisles, Flitting among the grey old trees, The maiden sped on, each weary sigh Mingling with the evening breeze. "Oh, would he were come--the gallant Hay, Quickly the night begins to fall; Oh, would that his manly heart were mine, And my home were his castle hall." Brighter anon flashed her bright blue eye, Rosier blushed her cheeks, I ween, As, breathless, she heard a war-horse tramp Through the glade of the forest green. Then quickly came forth a youthful knight, Straining his eyes that home to see, He'd longed for many a watchful hour By the waters of Galilee. Suddenly halted the courteous knight, Bright the glance of his martial eye Flashed in the light of his manhood's bloom 'Neath the plume of his morion high. Marvelled he much as the evening rays Fell on a maid so wondrous rare; "Art thou a form from the beauty world Or the fairest of earthly fair?" "List, warrior, list," the fair maid said; "Pray thee list a lady's behest. I've wandered far and lost my way, And am wearied and fain would rest." Full lowly he bent his waving plume, Till it mixed with his horse's mane, "Where is thy home, dear lady, I ask? Let me carry thee thither again." "Knowest thou, brave knight, where the elfin halls Gleam under skies of purple light, With their towering domes of chaste opal Glowing in clouds of crimson bright; With their waving trees of rarest kind, Soft'ning sunlight cheering the gloom, Catching the rays as they hasten by, Wreathing their tops with golden bloom. "Last eve, with my maids, I left my home, Singing our songs in gay refrain; Seeking wild flowers, I wandered alone Over hill, over dale, and plain. Laughingly trod we the dewy mead, Lit by the rays of the evening star; But sadly I've spent the weary day, For, ah me! I have wandered far.' "I know not thy home," the young knight said, "Else in honour I'd bear thee there; Tho' never below the glorious sky Have I seen one so passing fair. Much have I mingled in court and camp, In revel, in tourney and strife, But never, till now, have mine eyes beheld A maid I could love as my wife." Quickly the warrior lighted him down-- "Lady," he said, "my halls are near; Come to my arms--I'll carry thee home, And ye shall be my peerless fere." "Gramercy, my lord," the maiden said; "Willingly shall I go with thee; And I'll be to thee a leal, true wife-- _Thou_ shalt be 'all the world to me.'"