He and She

Under the pines sat a young man and maiden:"Love," said he, "life is sweet, think'st thou not so?"Sweet were her eyes, full of pictures of Aidenn—"Life," said she, "love is sweet; no more I know."

Into the wide world the maid and her loverWandered by pathways that sundered them far;From pine groves to palm groves he flitted, a rover,She tended his roses, and watched for his star.

Oft he said softly, while melting eyes glistened,"Sweet is my life, love, with you ever near";Morning and evening she waited and listenedFor a voice and a footstep that never came near.

Fainting at last on her threshold she found him;"Life is but ashes and bitter," he sighed.She, with her tender arms folded about him,Whispered, "But love is still sweet"—and so died.

Sprague River, Or., 1873.