The Argosy — page 164: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

The Legend of Myddfat. 149 Or twice should strike me, then my vow shall bind My life no longer ; hither I will turn, And thou, in grief and loneliness, shalt find The truth of that which men are slow to learn— That love which lights their lives is fiery flame to burn.” So they were wed, and to the shepherd’s cot Was brought the maiden of the lonely mere ; She filled with sunshine all his humble lot, And they were happy for a happy year. No longer ; for the stroke of doom was near. It chanced some folk were married in the vale, And they were bidden ; but instead of cheer When all the rest were merry, she sat pale, And marred the marriage feast with moan and woeful wail. Her husband, wroth to see his young wife weep, Smote sharply on her arm as white as snow, And asked her why she wept ; she turned her deep, Reproachful eyes on him. ‘ Alas, I know That nought but sorrow from this feast shall flow To these, who loveless wed. Ah me! in vain My maiden heart foretold my wedded woe. Beware, lest, smitten by thy hand again, t seek the kindly flood aglow with summer rain.” Another year went by ; and lo! a grave Was opened to receive the loveless bride, And surging tears the mourners’ cheeks did lave, But she stood smiling at the shepherd’s side. And then again he struck her wrist, and cried, «Shame on thee, wife, to mock when others weep !” ““T needs must joy,” she said, and softly sighed : “The dead are happy ; from life’s rocky steep Love’s mighty tide doth bear her children to the deep.” Then she was gone. ‘The legend tells how sad The shepherd left his sheep to watch the mere ; And how at times his grief grew mild, and glad He hailed the star which tells that day is near ; But ne’er to him his love did reappear. Yet, some aver, when dawn begins to break On one, the longest day of all the year, A breathing’s space, the maid, for old love’s sake, Doth raise her golden locks above the glowing lake. JOHN JERVIS BERESFORD, M.A. CORNICLIOO© SS (CO)