Beautiful "Meadow," daughter o' Feldberg, I welcome and greet you. Listen: I'm goin' to sing a song, and all in y'r honor, Makin' a music beside ye, follerin' wherever you wander. Born unbeknown in the rocky, hidden heart o' the mountain, Suckled o' clouds and fogs, and weaned by the waters o' heaven, There you slep' like a babblin' baby, a-kep' in the bed-room, Secret, and tenderly cared-for: and eye o' man never saw you,-- Never peeked through a key-hole and saw my little girl sleepin' Sound in her chamber o' crystal, rocked in her cradle o' silver. Neither an ear o' man ever listened to hear her a-breathin', No, nor her voice all alone to herself a-laughin' or cryin'. Only the close little spirits that know every passage and entrance, In and out dodgin', they brought ye up and teached ye to toddle, Gev' you a cheerful natur', and larnt you how to be useful: Yes, and their words didn't go into one ear and out at the t'other. Stand on your slippery feet as soon as may be, and use 'em, That you do, as you slyly creep from your chamber o' crystal Out o' doors, barefoot, and squint up to heaven, mischievously smilin'. Oh, but you're pretty, my darlin', y'r eyes have a beautiful sparkle! Isn't it nice, out o' doors? you didn't guess 't was so pleasant? Listen, the leaves is rustlin', and listen, the birdies a-singin'! "Yes," says you, "but I'm goin' furder, and can't stay to hear 'm: Pleasant, truly, 's my way, and more so the furder I travel." Only see how spry my little one is at her jumpin'! "Ketch me!" she shouts, in her fun,--"if you want me, foller and ketch me!" Every minute she turns and jumps in another direction.