SONGS FROM THE FRENCH OF MAETERLINCK
I.
[Elle l'enchaîna dans une grotte]
SHE fettered her in a cavern dour, She set a mark upon the door, The maid forgot the light of day And the key fell into the sea.
She waited all the summer days, She waited seven years or more. Each year a passer passed the door.
She waited all the winter days, And as she waited her golden hair Remembered how the light was fair.
It sought it out, it found it out, It glided out between the stones And lighted all the rocks about.
A passer passed again one night, He did not understand the light And dared not draw near where it shone.
He thought it was a symbol fey, He thought it was a golden rain, He thought it was an angel's play, He turned away and passed again.