thou dwell when past thy prime?
We both are old, far gone in time!"

The noble lord again draws near,
And even the bridal feast prepare,
For all things soon were ready made,--
But sorrow veils the maiden's head.

Quick to the garden, goeth she,
There falls she down upon her knee,
Out from her heart her prayer she poured
To Jesus her espoused Lord.

She lay before him on her face,
And sighed with sighs to win his grace.
The dearest Christ the clouds unrolled,
"Look up," said he, "my maid behold!

"Thou yet shalt be, in briefest time,
In heaven with me in joy's full prime,
And mid the lovely angels there,
In full delight and joy appear."

He greets the maiden wondrous fair:
She stands before him without fear,
Down cast her eyes with modest grace,--
She felt the beauty of his face.

Then speaks the youth, the heavenly King,
And weds her with a golden ring;--
"Look there, my bride! Love's pledge for thee,
Oh, wear it on thy hand for me."

The maiden then sweet vows took,
"My Bridegroom dear!" to Christ she spoke,
"Herewith art thou firm wed to me,
Henceforth my heart loves none but thee."

Then walked abroad the married pair,
And gathered many a blossom fair;--
Jesus thus spake to her anew:--
"Come, and my lovely garden view!"

He took the maiden by the hand,
And led her from her fatherland,
Unto his Father's garden fair
Where many beauteous blossoms are.

The maiden now with joy may win
The precious fruits which grow therein;
But mortal fancy cannot know
The noble fruits therein which grow.

She hears such music and such song,
That length of time seems nothing long,
And silver-white the brooklets there
Flow ever on so pure and fair.

The youth again addressed the maid,
"My garden here thou hast surveyed.
I will again conduct thee home.
To thine own land, the time is come."

The maiden turns with grief away,
Comes to the town without delay,
The watchman calls, "Stand, who goes there?"
She says, "I to my father must repair!"

"Who is your father, then," quoth he,
"The general," she answers free.
The watchman then replied and smiled,
"The general;--he has no child."

But by her garments all men see,
The maiden is of high degree.
The watchman then condu