And brightly o'er the water stream'd The liquid radiance wide; Donica's little dog ran on And gambol'd at her side. Youth, Health, and Love bloom'd on her cheek, Her full dark eyes express In many a glance to Eberhard Her soul's meek tenderness. Nor sound was heard, nor passing gale Sigh'd thro' the long lank sedge, The air was hushed, no little wave Dimpled the water's edge. Sudden the unfathom'd lake sent forth Strange music from beneath, And slowly o'er the waters sail'd The solemn sounds of Death. As the deep sounds of Death arose, Donica's cheek grew pale, And in the arms of Eberhard The senseless Maiden fell. Loudly the youth in terror shriek'd, And loud he call'd for aid, And with a wild and eager look Gaz'd on the death-pale Maid. But soon again did better thoughts In Eberhard arise, And he with trembling hope beheld The Maiden raise her eyes. And on his arm reclin'd she moved With feeble pace and slow, And soon with strength recover'd reach'd Yet never to Donica's cheek Return'd the lively hue, Her cheeks were deathy, white, and wan, Her lips a livid blue. Her eyes so bright and black of yore Were now more black and bright, And beam'd strange lustre in her face So deadly wan and white. The dog that gambol'd by her side, And lov'd with her to stray, Now at his alter'd mistress howl'd And fled in fear away. Yet did the faithful Eberhard Not love the Maid the less; He gaz'd with sorrow, but he gaz'd With deeper tenderness. And when he found her health unharm'd He would not brook delay, But press'd the not unwilling Maid To fix the bridal day. And when at length it came, with joy They hail'd the bridal day, And onward to the house of God They went their willing way. And as they at the altar stood And heard the sacred rite, The hallowed tapers dimly stream'd A pale sulphureous light. And as the Youth with holy warmth Her hand in his did hold, Sudden he felt Donica's hand Grow deadly damp and cold. And loudly did he shriek, for lo! A Spirit met his view, And Eberhard in the angel form His own Donica knew. That instant from her earthly frame Howling the Daemon fled, And at the side of Eberhard The livid form fell dead. Rudiger.