Page:The Story and Song of Black Roderick.djvu/24

16 anger, and but half believed her tale. His trouble being heavy upon him, he bade her leave her lamenting and answer his question.

‘There is one,’ quoth he, ‘who doth wander upon the hillside, far from her home, a lady of high degree; sawest thou any such,’ saith he, ‘for I have sought her long?’

Now will I sing thee what was said and what happened, lest thou grow weary of my prose:

‘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 sward; I dare not think that she could be Spouse to so great a lord.’