APPLE-BLOSSOMS.

Underneath an apple-tree

Sat a maiden and her lover;

And the thoughts within her he

Yearned, in silence, to discover.

Round them danced the sunbeams bright,

Green the grass-lawn stretched before them;

While the apple-blossoms white

Hung in rich profusion o'er them.

Naught within her eyes he read

That would tell her mind unto him;

Though their light, he after said,

Quivered swiftly through and through him;

Till at last his heart burst free

From the prayer with which‘ twas laden,

And he said, “When wilt thou be

Mine for evermore, fair maiden?”

“When,” said she, “the breeze of May

With white flakes our heads shall cover,

I will be thy brideling gay —

Thou shall be my husband-lover.”

“How,” said he, in sorrow bowed,

“Can I hope such hopeful weather?

Breeze of May and Winter's cloud

Do not often fly together.”

Quickly as the words he said,

From the west a wind came sighing,

And on each uncovered head

Sent the apple-blossoms flying;

“‘ Flakes of white!’ thou'rt mine,” said he,

“Sooner than thy wish or knowing!”

“Nay, I heard the breeze,” quoth she,

“When in yonder forest blowing.”