Page:The Collected Poems of Dora Sigerson Shorter.djvu/43

24 But there he met an ancient crone. To whom he spake his mind— “And have you seen my lady here, For her I cannot find?”

“I have not seen your lady here,” The withered dame replied; “But I have met a little lass, Who wrung her hands and cried.

“She was not clad in silken robe, Nor rode a palfrey white; She had no maidens in her train, Behind her rode no knight.

”But she crept weary up yon hill, And crouched upon the sord, I dare not think that she could be Spouse to so great a Lord.“

Now darkly frowned Earl Roderick, He turned his face away; And shame and anger in his heart Disturbed him with their sway,

For he had never cared to know What his young bride would wear; He gave her neither horse, nor hound, Nor jewels for her hair.

“And whither went this little lass. And who was by her side? I vow his blood shall drench my blade, And that before my bride.”

“There was no lover by her side; She went sad and alone, And when she reached the green hilltop She there did make her moan.