White Sulphur papers; or, Life at the springs of Western Virginia

131
THE MAID OF THE CASCADE.
In times of late, there was a fair young maid !
Whose soft poetic and romantic mood,
By shaded stream—and water fall and glade,
Oft sent straying in her solitude.
She was more handsome than some women are ;
Dark eyes—fine form—and pretty foot withall
And few maidens with her could compare,
In dance, or grace, or waltzing at the ball.
Ah me I
how many fine young men I've seen,
Sighing for love of her, and twining flowers,
In sweet bouquets, of pinks and mjnrtle green;
To lend a fragrance to her laughing hours.
In rides by day—in w^alks by silent night.
But I misname ,
for in this happy place,
There's nothing dark :— 'tis soft moon-light,
Or day come back with poetry and grace.