Soon afterwards Rolf passed through the great hall in which Biorn and
his guests were seated, conducting their attendants, who had charge
of the baggage, to their rooms. Gabrielle caught sight of her
favourite lute, and desired a page to bring it to her, that she might
see if the precious instrument had been injured by the sea-voyage.
As she bent over it with earnest attention, and her taper fingers ran
up and down the strings, a smile, like the dawn of spring, passed
over the dark countenances of Biorn and his son; and both said, with
an involuntary sigh, "Ah! if you would but play on that lute, and
sing to it! It would be but too beautiful!" The lady looked up at
them, well pleased, and smiling her assent, she began this song:--


"Songs and flowers are returning,
And radiant skies of May,
Earth her choicest gifts is yielding,
But one is past away.

The spring that clothes with tend'rest green
Each grove and sunny plain,
Shines not for my forsaken heart,
Brings not my joys again.

Warble not so, thou nightingale,
Upon thy blooming spray,
Thy sweetness now will burst my heart,
I cannot bear thy lay.

For flowers and birds are come again,