DEFTON WOOD.

I held my way through Defton Wood,

And on to Wandor Hall;

The dancing leaf let down the light,

In hovering spots to fall.

“O young, young leaves, you match me well,”

My heart was merry, and sung —

“Now wish me joy of my sweet youth;

My love — she, too, is young!

O so many, many, many

Little homes above my head!

O so many, many, many

Dancing blossoms round me spread!

O so many, many, many

Maidens sighing yet for none!

Speed, ye wooers, speed with any —

Speed with all but one.”

I took my leave of Wandor Hall,

And trod the woodland ways.

“What shall I do so long to bear

The burden of my days?”

I sighed my heart into the boughs

Whereby the culvers cooed;

For only I between them went

Unwooing and unwooed.

“O so many, many, many

Lilies bending stately heads!

O so many, many, many

Strawberries ripened on their beds!

O so many, many, many

Maids, and yet my heart undone!

What to me are all, are any —

I have lost my — one.”