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           "Now,Allan,"quothhe,"somuchhasbeensaidofthysingingthatwewouldfainhaveatasteofthyskillourselves.Canstthounotgiveussomething?"

           "Surely,"answeredAllanreadily;forhewasnothird-ratesongsterthatmustbeaskedagainandagain,butsaid"yes"or"no"atthefirstbidding;so,takinguphisharp,heranhisfingerslightlyoverthesweetlysoundingstrings,andallwashushedaboutthecloth.Then,backinghisvoicewithsweetmusiconhisharp,hesang:

           MayEllen’sWedding(Givinganaccountofhowshewasbelovedbyafairyprince,whotookhertohisownhome.)

           "MayEllensatbeneathathorn

           Andinashoweraround

           Theblossomsfellateverybreeze

           Likesnowupontheground,

           Andinalimetreenearwasheard

           Thesweetsongofastrange,wildbird.

           "Osweet,sweet,sweet,Opiercingsweet,

           Olingeringsweetthestrain!

           MayEllen’sheartwithinherbreast

           Stoodstillwithblissfulpain:

           Andso,withlistening,upturnedface,

           Shesatasdeadinthatfairplace.

           "‘Comedownfromouttheblossoms,bird!

           Comedownfromoutthetree,

           AndonmyheartI’lllettheelie,

           Andlovetheetenderly!’

           ThuscriedMayEllen,softandlow,

           Fromwherethehawthornsheditssnow.