"I saw the fond glance of his eye
To her red cheek red roses bring;
Between them, as my steed flew by,
I saw them break a golden ring."
"O wouldst thou know, thou curious knight,
Where Mary's bourne to-night will be?
Since thou has seen such traitor sight,
Beneath the blooming hawthorn tree."
Fair shone the yellow of her locks,
Her cheek and bosom's drifted snow;
She leap'd adown the sharp grey rocks,
She sought the sullen pool below.
The knight his iron vizard rais'd,
He caught young Mary to his heart;
She lifted up her head and gaz'd—
She drew her yellow locks apart.
* * * * *
The roses touch'd her lovely face;
The lilies white did faint and flee;
The knight was chief of Ulnor's race,—
His only true love still was she!
"IN EXCHANGE FOR HIS SOUL!"
Long time one whisper'd in his ear—
"Give me my strong, pure soul; behold
'Tis mine to give what men hold dear—
The treasure of red gold."
"I bribe thee not with crown and throne,
Pale spectres they of kingly pow'r!
I give thee gold—red gold alone
Can crown a king each hour!"
He frown'd, perchance he felt a throe,
Gold-hunger gnawing at his heart—
A passing pang—for, stern and low,
He bade the fiend depart!
Again there came the voice and said:
"Gold for that soul of thine were shame;
Thine be that thing for which have bled
Both Gods and men,—high Fame.
"And in long ages yet to sweep
Their gloom and glory on the day;
When mould'ring kings, forgot, shall sleep
In ashes, dust, and clay: