The Lady of the Lake

Upon a rock with lichens wild,
Beside him Ellen sat and smiled.—­
Smiled she to see the stately drake
Lead forth his fleet upon the lake,
While her vexed spaniel from the beach
Bayed at the prize beyond his reach? 
Yet tell me, then, the maid who knows,
Why deepened on her cheek the rose?—­
Forgive, forgive, Fidelity! 
Perchance the maiden smiled to see
Yon parting lingerer wave adieu,
And stop and turn to wave anew;
And, lovely ladies, ere your ire
Condemn the heroine of my lyre,
Show me the fair would scorn to spy
And prize such conquest of her eve!