Page:The Bab Ballads.djvu/51

 Unknown her face and name,
 * But this he knew right well,

The maiden's wailing came
 * From out a dungeon cell.

A hapless woman lay
 * Within that dungeon grim—

That fact, I've heard him say,
 * Was quite enough for him.

"I will not sit or lie,
 * Or eat or drink, I vow,

Till thou art free as I,
 * Or I as pent as thou."

Her tears then ceased to flow,
 * Her wails no longer rang,

And tuneful in her woe
 * The prisoned maiden sang:

"Oh, stranger, as you play
 * I recognise your touch;

And all that I can say
 * Is, thank you very much."

He seized his clarion straight,
 * And blew thereat, until

A warden oped the gate,
 * "Oh, what might be your will?"