Know ye the willow-tree <br />Whose gray leaves quiver, <br />Whispering gloomily <br />To yon pale river; <br />Lady, at even-tide <br />Wander not near it, <br />They say its branches hide <br />A sad, lost spirit? <br /> <br />Once to the willow-tree <br />A maid came fearful, <br />Pale seemed her cheek to be, <br />Her blue eye tearful; <br />Soon as she saw the tree, <br />Her step moved fleeter, <br />No one was there—ah me! <br />No one to meet her! <br /> <br />Quick beat her heart to hear <br />The far bell's chime <br />Toll from the chapel-tower <br />The trysting time: <br />But the red sun went down <br />In golden flame, <br />And though she looked round, <br />Yet no one came! <br /> <br />Presently came the night, <br />Sadly to greet her,— <br />Moon in her silver light, <br />Stars in their glitter; <br />Then sank the moon away <br />Under the billow, <br />Still wept the maid alone— <br />There by the willow! <br /> <br />Through the long darkness, <br />By the stream rolling, <br />Hour after hour went on <br />Tolling and tolling. <br />Long was the darkness, <br />Lonely and stilly; <br />Shrill came the night-wind, <br />Piercing and chilly. <br /> <br />Shrill blew the morning breeze, <br />Biting and cold, <br />Bleak peers the gray dawn <br />Over the wold. <br />Bleak over moor and stream <br />Looks the grey dawn, <br />Gray, with dishevelled hair, <br />Still stands the willow there— <br />THE MAID IS GONE! <br /> <br />Domine, Domine! <br />Sing we a litany,— <br />Sing for poor maiden-hearts broken and weary; <br />Domine, Domine! <br />Sing we a litany, <br />Wail we and weep we a wild Miserere!<br /><br />William Makepeace Thackeray<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-willow-tree-7/
