Page:Bohemian legends and other poems.djvu/56

 I’ll give you the wreath from my hair,
 * For a nobler I will not wait.”

Then the dark young man stopped his steed,
 * And the vain girl mounted elate,

While he whisp ered low in her ears,
 * I’ll take thee to paradise straight.”

And away they rode through the town,
 * Till they came to an awful way;

There were stunted and blasted trees;
 * There were snakes there ready to slay,

And there many a poison herb
 * Grew, that hid from the light of day.

And far away in the distance
 * The vain girl saw the flames of hell,

That leaped with their tongues of fire
 * ’Gainst the sky they hated so well.

And their steed rushed on like the wind,
 * And soon they were standing in hell.

Open, my comrades, my black ones,
 * I have brought you a vain young girl.”

The door flew open, and devils,
 * Yea, hundreds flew out with a whirl.

And they danced and capered with glee,
 * And they laughed at the vain young girl.

Where are your manners, you devils?
 * Bring the lady a glass of wine.”

Then one of the devils ran quick,
 * And soon brought her a goblet fine.

Drink, thou vainest of maidens, drink,
 * The health of our prince in this wine.”

She drank of that wine and turned pale;
 * She drank, and flames rushed from her lips.

Oh, prince of this country,” she said,
 * Oh, moisten with water my lips.”

The devils laughed loud at her call,
 * They said, “Take long draughts, make no sips.”