Classic and Contemporary Poetry
WIZARD'S WELL, by ARTHUR GUITERMAN Poet's Biography First Line: Trudchen! Trudchen!' teased the maids Last Line: Tell me -- did that wish come true? Subject(s): Dancing & Dancers; Girls; Kisses; New York City - Dutch Period | ||||||||
"TRUDCHEN! Trudchen!" teased the maids, Laughed the lads of gallant mien; "Leave your gloomy forest glades! Join our dance upon the green!" Trudchen never turned her head; Light as wind-blown thistledown Up the woodland path she sped Far above the step-roofed town. "Trudchen! Trudchen!" sang the birds, Called the squirrels, high in air; "Here are lilies, white as curds, Velvet moss and maidenhair. "Stay with us, oh, Sweet, Sweet, Sweet! Play with us, and fear no harm!" Onward flew her constant feet; Pause or word had broke the charm. Soon beside the pool she stood, Underneath the cliff-walled hill Shadowed by the ancient wood Bordered by the sparkling kill; Bending low, with coral mouth Sipped the waters of the well; Closed her eyes and faced the south; Wished her wish and spoke the spell: "Wizard chief, whose haunted cave Hides where mountain-laurels cling; Red Moaqua, thou that gave Secret gifts to bless thy spring, "Hear the words my grandam taught! Hear the unforgotten spell! Own the charm thy magic wrought! Grant the wish I may not tell!" Steered where Spuyten Duyvil Kill Drinks of Hudson's ample flow, Driven with a lusty will Landward rode the broad bateau. Rich in peltries, plain and pied, Spoil of beaver, mink, and deer, Marten fur and panther hide, Gaily came the pioneer. Home! from wilds and craggy caves, Lairs of beasts and savage men. "Trudchen! Trudchen!" lisped the waves; "We have brought him home again!" Light o'er rock and fallen bole Leaped the youth in glad surprise; Soft behind the girl he stole, Gently kissed the hooded eyes. Tulip-tree, whose mighty shade Gives the well a deeper hue, Tell the wish that Trudchen made! Tell me -- did that wish come true? | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...FOR THE AVERY 'KNICKERBOCKER' by HENRY AUSTIN DOBSON THE KNICKERBOCKER'S ADDRESS TO THE STUYVESANT PEAR TREE, 1647-1857 by HENRY WEBB DUNSHEE A DEAL IN REAL ESTATE by ARTHUR GUITERMAN A LEGEND OF MAIDEN LANE by ARTHUR GUITERMAN A LILT IN FALL by ARTHUR GUITERMAN A SCANDAL IN NEW AMSTERDAM by ARTHUR GUITERMAN A SONG IN JUNE by ARTHUR GUITERMAN A SPRINGTIME PILGRIMAGE by ARTHUR GUITERMAN A TRIAL IN NEW AMSTERDAM by ARTHUR GUITERMAN |
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