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Love's Awakening

Of Tanglewood, that gentle Meadow, light
and flower'y plain, where first to breathless sight
my love appeared, for hours could I sing,
to make with pealing voice the forest ring.
And in that darkling western hut where spawn
the lowly vermin, there from dusk 'til dawn
my love and I would hunt. And thus my heart
did learn to love, and loving thus, to part
with her did fill my heart with sweetest sorrow.
For though I knew full well that on the morrow
would we meet again, and hunt once more,
yet in the time apart my eyes full sore
did weep.
In days to come I heard her name
cried out, as 'pon the southern beach she came
to dance the fierce and mighty Rockodile,
but dancing not then well, would fall, and while
she fallen lay, to there with scant delay
and beating heart went I. What I did say
I now can scarce recall, confusion reigned,
but I do well recall how much it pained
and tore my heart when my beloved fair
seemed heedless to my lonely, piteous stare.

And so, despairing of her love I fell
upon the sand at her right foot and well
I kissed her dainty shoe. With trembling tone
I told to her how lost, bereft, alone
I be without her love. Her gentle gaze
lay soft upon my brow, and in amaze
I heard those words, which in their manner fair
did burst my heart with joy and banish care.

And from that night, as well I might
I serve my love's desires.
In happiness, two lovers blessed
by love's devour'ing fires

And nevermore shall I be poor,
enriched by love's sweet charms.
As I do weep with joy to sleep
in my beloved's arms