THE ELF-KING'S YOUNGEST DAUGHTER.

Clutha Leader, Volume II, Issue 81, 27 January 1876, Page 7

THE ELF-KING'S YOUNGEST DAUGHTER.

Down the merry streamlet dancing, Through the flickering shadows glancing, Foam about her white feet creaming, All her wayward hair but-streaming, ' Laughing on the laughing water, Dances down the Elf-king's daughter— Yougesfc daughter fair. All the trees bend low toward her, All the rocks are strong to guard her, ' AU the little grasses whisper, And the low-toned breezes lisp her Praises everywhere. All around tho warm air lingers Lovingly, the while her fiDgers With a dainty upwai'd gesture, } Seem to draw a shade for vesture Of her loveliness. Yet meseems slieTriove"* so purely, Gliding on her path demurely, Looking with clear eyes serenely, She wore tslad not half so quoenly 'In a royal dress. Now she's lightly onward sweeping, — Now she stays half-glid, half -fearing, O'er the ledge, of grauifce peering, Eyes the headlong torrent leaping— Eyes far down the siillen boulders, While the long.locks rouud her shoulders Gather tenderly. Now with a little laugh a- tremble, Glad her shrinking to dessemble, Flashing through the diamond showor With her white feet launched below her, And her hair drawn out above her, Swift as lady to her lover Down the fall goes she. Now when quiet night has clouded ' All the river broad and stately, Down the stream she .rides sedately, By her soft hair warmly shrouded, Lulled by melody. * Down amid tlie dim trees greeting, And the drowsy wheat's repeating, Dreaming on the dreaming water Floats the* Elf -king's youngest daughter To the dreaming sea. .*■••: •.-■•■-*..'•••-;•"...• • 7. -■ Jr. R, S,