THE NOBLEMAN'S WEDDING
I once was guest at a Nobleman's wedding;
Fair was the Bride, but she scarce had been
kind,
And now in our mirth, she had tears nigh the
shedding;
Her former true lover still runs in her mind.
Attired like a minstrel, her former true lover
Takes up his harp, and runs over the strings;
And there among strangers, his grief to discover,
A fair maiden's falsehood he bitterly sings.
"Now here is the token of gold that was broken;
Seven long years it was kept for your sake;
You gave it to me as a true lover's token;
No longer I'll wear it, asleep or awake."
She sat in her place by the head of the table,
The words of his ditty she mark'd them right
well;
To sit any longer this bride was not able,
So down at the bridegrooms feet she fell.
"O one, one request, my lord, one and no other,
O this one request will you grant it to me?
To lie for this night in the arms of my mother,
And ever, and ever thereafter with thee."
Her one, one request it was granted her fairly;
Pale were her cheeks as she went up to bed;
And the very next morning, early, early,
They rose and they found this young bride
was dead.
The bridegroom ran quickly, he held her, he
kiss'd her,
He spoke loud and low, and listen'd full fain;
He call'd on her waiting-maids round to assist
her,
But nothing could bring the lost breath back
again.
O carry her softly! the grave is made ready;
At head and at foot plant a laurel-bush green;
For she was a young and a sweet noble lady,
The fairest young bride that I ever have seen.
—-Wm. Allingham.
St. Margaret's Eve
I built my castle upon the sea-side,
The waves roll so gaily O,
Half on the land and half in the tide,
Love me true!
Within was silk, without was stone,
The waves roll so gaily O,
It lacks a queen, and that alone.
Love me true!
The gray old harper sung to me,
The waves roll so gaily O,
"Beware of the Damsel of the Sea!"
Love me true!
Saint Margaret's Eve it did befall,
The waves roll so gaily O,
The tide came creeping up the wall.
Love me true!
I open'd my gate; who there should stand—
The waves roll so gaily O,
But a fair lady, with a cup in her hand.
Love me true!
The cup was gold, and full of wine,
The waves roll so gaily O,
"Drink," said the lady, "and I will be thine."
Love me true!
"Enter my castle, lady fair,"
The waves roll so gaily O,
"You shall be queen of all that's there."
Love me true!
99 A gray old harper sung to me,"
The waves roll so gaily O,
"'Beware of the Damsel of the Sea!'"
Love me true!
19 In hall he harpeth many a year,"
The waves roll so gaily O,
"And we will sit his song to hear."
Love me true!
991 love thee deep, I love thee true,"
The waves roll so gaily O,
"But ah! I know not how to woo."
Love me true!
Down dash'd the cup, with a sudden shock,
The waves roll so gaily O,
The wine like blood ran over the rock.
Love me true!
She said no word, but shriek'd aloud,
The waves roll so gaily O,
And vanish'd away from where she stood.
Love me true!
I lock'd and barr'd my castle door,
The waves roll so gaily O,
Three summer days I grieved sore.
Love me true!
For myself a day and night,
The waves roll so gaily O,
And two to moan that lady bright.
Love me true!
——Wm. Allingham.