Part 36 (1/2)

And when on their feet they came to stand Swain Goldilocks stretched out his hand.

And he spake: ”O love, my love indeed, Where now is gone thy goodly weed?

For again thy naked feet I see, And thy sweet sleek arms so kind to me.

Through thy rent kirtle once again Thy s.h.i.+ning shoulder showeth plain.”

She blushed as red as the sun-sweet rose: ”My garments gay were e'en of those

That the false Queen dight to slay my heart; And sore indeed was their fleshly smart.

Yet must I bear them, well-beloved, Until thy truth and troth was proved

And this tattered coat is now for a sign That thou hast won me to be thine.

Now wilt thou lead along thy maid To meet thy kindred unafraid.”

As stoops the falcon on the dove He cast himself about her love.

He kissed her over, cheek and chin, He kissed the sweetness of her skin.

Then hand in hand they went their way Till the wood grew light with the outer day.

At last behind them lies the wood, And before are the Upland Acres good.

On the hill's brow awhile they stay At midmorn of the merry day.

He sheareth a deal from his kirtle meet, To make her sandals for her feet.

He windeth a wreath of the beechen tree, Lest men her s.h.i.+ning shoulders see.

And a wreath of woodbine sweet, to hide The rended raiment of her side;

And a crown of poppies red as wine, Lest on her head the hot sun s.h.i.+ne.

She kissed her love withal and smiled: ”Lead forth, O love, the Woodland Child!

Most meet and right meseems it now That I am clad with the woodland bough.

For betwixt the oak-tree and the thorn Meseemeth erewhile was I born.

And if my mother aught I knew, It was of the woodland folk she grew.

And O that thou art well at ease To wed the daughter of the trees!”

Now Goldilocks and Goldilocks Go down amidst the wheaten shocks,

But when anigh to the town they come, Lo there is the wain a-wending home,

And many a man and maid beside, Who tossed the sickles up, and cried: