Three white days had pass'd away unheeded, And the maid equipp'd her for a journey. Many a costly present she provided For her brothers and her bridal sisters: For her brothers, fairest silken vestments; For her bridal-sisters, rings and jewels. But Jovan would fain detain her--"Go not, Go not now, I pray thee--my Jelitza! Wait until thy brothers come and greet thee." But she would not listen to her brother: She prepared the costliest, fairest presents. So the young Jovan began his journey, And his sister travell'd patient by him. So as they approach'd their mother's dwelling, Near the house a tall white church was standing, Young Jovan he whispered to his sister-- "Stop, I pray thee, my beloved sister! Let me enter the white church an instant. When my middle brother here was married, Lo! I lost a golden ring, my sister! Let me go an instant--I shall find it." Jovan went--into his grave he glided-- And Jelitza stood--she stood impatient-- Wondering--wondering--but in vain she waited. Then she left the spot to seek her brother. Many and many a grave was in the churchyard Newly made--Jovan was nowhere--Sighing, On she hasten'd--hasten'd to the city, Saw her mother's dwelling, and press'd forward Eager to that old white dwelling. Listen To that cuckoo's cry within the dwelling! Lo! it was not the gray cuckoo's crying-- 'Twas her aged, her gray-headed mother. To the door Jelitza press'd--outstretching Her white neck, she call'd--"Make ope, my mother! Hasten to make ope the door, my mother!" But her mother to her cry made answer: "Plague of God! avaunt! my sons have perish'd-- All--all nine have perish'd--Wilt thou also, Take their aged mother!" Then Jelitza Shriek'd, "O open--open, dearest mother! I am not God's plague--I am thy daughter. Thine own daughter--thy Jelitza, mother!" Then the mother push'd the door wide open, And she scream'd aloud, and groan'd, and flung her Old arms round her daughter--All was silent-- Stiff and dead they fell to earth together. THE HOLY NICHOLAS.