THE NIXY
They brought her honey and milk,
They brought her curds and wine,
“But oh!” she cried, “for the river side,
And the rushes that were mine!”
They robed her body with silk,
They filled her lap with gold,
“But oh!” she prayed, “for the mossy shade,
And the green depths, pure and cold!”
They kissed her ankles for love,
They worshiped at her eyes,
“But oh!” she moaned, “for the flood, deep-toned,
And the sweeping spray that flies!”
They draped her chamber with black,
They wept there at her bier,
But her glad soul fled when her heart was dead,
And flowed with the river clear.