Come, Tell Me Some Olden Story.

I.     Come tell me some olden story         Of Knight or Paladin,     Whose sword on the field of glory         Bright laurel wreaths did win:     Tell me of the heart of fire         His courage rare did prove;     Speak on - oh! I will not tire -         But never talk of love.     II.     Or, if thou wilt, I shall hearken         Some magic legend rare -     How the Wizard's power did darken         The sunny summer air:     Thou'lt tell of Banshee's midnight wail,         Or corpse-light's ghastly gleam -     It matters not how wild the tale         So love be not thy theme.     III.     Or, perhaps thou may'st have travelled         On distant, foreign strand,     Strange secrets have unravelled         In many a far-off land;     Describe each castle hoary,         Each fair or frowning shore -     But should love blend in thy story         I'll list thy voice no more.     IV.     Thou askest with emotion,         Why am I thus so cold,     Urging all thy past devotion,         Well known - well tried of old;     Hush! bend a little nearer         That sad, o'erclouded brow -     Could love vows make thee dearer         To me than thou art now!