Ludmila mutely they saluted,

Then one, of footstep light, drew n'

And with ethereal fingers plaited

Her silken locks, a way, I hear,

Of dressing hair that has outdated

Long since become. Upon her head

diadem of fine pearls setting,

She then withdrew. With softest tre

The second maid approached; 'thout letting

Herself glance up, all modesty,

In sky-blue silk Ludmila she

Gowned quickly, and her golden tresses

Crowned with a mis-like veil that fell

About her shoulders. There-how well

It shields her, with what grace caresses

Charms for a goddess fit; her feet

Encased are in a pair of neat

And dainty shoes. The third maid brings her

A pearl-incrusted sash; unseen,

A gay-voiced songstress ballads sings her....

But neither shoes, nor gown, nor e'en

The pearly sash and diadem

The princess please; no song delights her,

Indifferent she stays to them;

In vain the looking-glass invites her

To eye her new-found finery

And revel in its wealth and splendour -

The sight seems almost to offend her:

Her gaze is blank; sad, silent she.

Those who love truth and like to read

The heart's most secret book, must know

That should a lady, plunged in woe,

In spite of habit or of reason,