Page:The Collected Poems of Dora Sigerson Shorter.djvu/44

Rh “And once her father's name she'd cry, And twice her mother's call, And thrice on Black Earl Roderick Who loved her not at all.

“And every night she came and wept. So long upon the hill, And watched the lights in her lost home Until the dawn grew chill.”

“What did you tell to her, old witch. When weeping she passed by?” “I took her pretty hand in mine And bid her not to cry.

“I traced upon her slender palm That luck was changing soon; I swore that peace would come to her Before another moon.

“I said that he who loved her well Would robe her all in silk, And bear her in a coach of gold With palfreys white as milk.

“I told, before three suns had set He'd kneel down by her side. That he she loved would love her well And she would be his bride.”

Now pallid grew Earl Roderick; He turned his charger home; Vowed in a tower he'd lock his bride. So she no more could roam.

But when he reached the castle grey He searched both high and low: But none had seen his pale lady, And none had seen her go.