COME, TELL ME SOME OLDEN STORY.

Come tell me some olden story

Of Knight or Paladin,

Whose sword on the field of glory

Bright laurel wreaths did win:

Tell me of the heart of fire

His courage rare did prove;

Speak on — oh! I will not tire —

But never talk of love.

Or, if thou wilt, I shall hearken

Some magic legend rare —

How the Wizard's power did darken

The sunny summer air:

Thou'lt tell of Banshee's midnight wail,

Or corpse-light's ghastly gleam —

It matters not how wild the tale

So love be not thy theme.

Or, perhaps thou may'st have travelled

On distant, foreign strand,

Strange secrets have unravelled

In many a far-off land;

Describe each castle hoary,

Each fair or frowning shore —

But should love blend in thy story

I'll list thy voice no more.

Thou askest with emotion,

Why am I thus so cold,

Urging all thy past devotion,

Well known — well tried of old;

Hush! bend a little nearer

That sad, o'erclouded brow —

Could love vows make thee dearer

To me than thou art now!