THE TWO CAPTAINS.
Page: 9

through the flowery groves; now and then a branch waving in the
night-air would touch the guitar on the lady's arm, and it would
breathe forth a slight murmur which blended with the song of the
nightingale, or the delicate fingers of the girl would tremble over
the strings and awaken a few scattered chords, while the shooting
stars seemed as if following the tones of the instrument as they died
away. Oh, truly happy was this night both to the youth and the
maiden, for no rash wish or impure desire passed even fleetingly
across their minds. They walked on side by side, happy that
Providence had allowed them this delight, and so little desiring any
other blessing that even the transitoriness of that they were now
enjoying floated away into the background of their thoughts.

In the middle ot the beautiful garden there was a large open lawn,
ornamented with statues and surrounding a beautiful and splashing
fountain. The two lovers sat down on its brink, now gazing at the
waters sparkling in the moonlight, and now delighting in the
contemplation of each other's beauty. The maiden touched her guitar,
and Heimbert, impelled by a feeling scarcely intelligible to himself,
sang the following words to it:


"There is a sweet life linked with mine,
But I cannot tell its name;
Oh, would it but to me consign
The secret of that life divine,
That so my lips in whispers sweet
And gentle songs might e'en repeat
All that my heart would fain proclaim!"


He suddenly paused, and blushed deeply, fearing he had been too bold.
The lady blushed also, touched her guitar-strings with a half-
abstracted air, and at last sang as if dreamily:


"By the spring where moonlight's gleams
O'er the sparkling waters pass,
Who is sitting by the youth,
Singing on the soft green grass?
Shall the maiden tell her name,
When though all unknown it be,
Her heart is glowing with her shame,