He had been loved from his childhood by her grandfather for his courage and activity in all manly sports, and now gladly did the old chief accord his sanction to their union, which he had arranged with the Hadji before his departure for the camp. As yet the fair girl knew not that her hopes were to be fulfilled, for though Alp had found time to whisper his love, neither knew that their parents would give their sanction to their marriage; and often would sad forebodings for the future cross her otherwise tranquil mind, fears that their union might be forbid, or that he might be snatched from her by the cruel Urus. The two fair girls were seated on an ottoman in the anderoon, while Ina worked a belt with golden thread, her first gift to Thaddeus. Zara struck the cords of her lute. How sweet and thrilling was her voice, as she sang the following simple ballad:-- The sun shone like glittering gold on the lake, While softly the breeze through the green forest play'd; The birds sang their gay notes from rock and from brake, And sweet odours sprung from each flowery glade; There was heard too a fountain's light murmuring voice, And nature in smiles seemed with glee to rejoice. Though nature was smiling, yet sorrow was nigh, For near a pure stream, 'neath a green willow's shade, With her quick panting bosom, a bright weeping eye, There stood, trembling with fear, a fair Atteghei maid, As a gallant youth, pressing her form in his arms, Sought, with love's parting kisses, to calm her alarms. Mid the clustering forest his charger stood near. And, his streaming mane tossing, was stamping the ground; His squire was holding his buckler and spear, While from far off came booming the cannon's deep sound. One more agonised pang, and he tore him away, And mounted his war-steed to join the affray, But as slowly he rode through the green leafy wood, With a lingering pace he oft turned his fond gaze, To cast one more glance where his lov'd maiden stood, Till soon she was hid by the thick forest maze; Then, spurring his charger with speed o'er the lee, Soon with fear did the foemen his dancing crest see. Like the willow which gracefully bent o'er the stream. The maiden stood tremb'ling and drooping with grief, Like the dew of the morn did those precious drops seem, When the bright sun-beams play on the spark'ling green leaf. Ah! cruel the war that could make her thus mourn! Ah! sad 'twas to leave that sweet maiden forlorn! Then rising, she clomb o'er the mountain so high, And she look'd o'er the hill and she look'd down the vale; Saw joyous in fancy his gay banner fly, When her ear caught the sound of a funeral wail. Through the glen, as advancing with mournful slow tread, A train bore the bier of a warrior dead.