"How fast we go, my brother!" "'Tis a hundred leagues and more."
"How happy am I, happier than in all my life before!
"And have we far to go, brother? I would that we were come."
"Have patience, sister; hold me fast; 'tis a long way to our home."
The white owl shrieked around them, the wild things shrank in fear
As through the night a cloud of light that ghostly steed drew near.
"How swift your charger is, brother! and your armour, oh, how bright!
Ah, no more you are a boy, brother, but in troth a noble knight!
"How beautiful you are, brother! but I would that we were come."
"Have patience, sister; hold me fast; we are not far from home."
"Your breath is icy-cold, brother, your locks are dank and wet;
Your heart, your hands are icy-cold; oh! is it further yet?"
"Have patience, sister; hold me fast; for we are nearly there.
Hist! hear you not our marriage bells ring through the midnight air?"
Even with the word, that ghostly steed neighed suddenly and shrill,
Then trembled once through every limb, and like a stone stood still.
********
And lo, within a land they were, a land of mirth and pleasure,
Where youths and maidens hand in hand danced to a joyous measure;