The Forest Fair

Once beside the corrie
Musing sad and sorry,
I saw within the forest

The fairest maiden dear.
The song of sweet bird follows,
Fawn and doe draw near,

And from the river hollows
The fish leap up to hear.
How curling, gleaming, glowing,

Softly, smoothly, blowing,
Her tresses full and flowing —
A shining Golden Fleece!

More fair her teeth and shoulder
Than glint of snowy geese,
'Twas star-like to behold her

With small rose-lips of peace.
She sang her race and story, —
Not hers the Gentiles gory —

Her heart glowed with the glory
Of Heber high and free:
Though long her royal lover

Did ban of exile dree,
Now Conqu'ror he comes over,
And Crowned across the sea!