The Sister

I saw the little quiet town, And the whitewashed gables on the hill, And laughing children coming down The laneway to the mill.

Wind-blushes up their faces glowed, And they were happy as could be, The wobbling water never flowed So merry and so free.

One little maid withdrew aside To pick a pebble from the sands. Her golden hair was long and wide, And there were dimples on her hands.

And when I saw her large blue eyes, What was the pain that went thro' me? Why did I think on Southern skies And ships upon the sea?