Part 19 (1/2)
The spits are wont to turn with; wine And wheaten bread, that we may dine
In plenty each day of the siege.
Good friends, ye know me no hard liege;
My lady is right fair, see ye!
Pray G.o.d to keep you frank and free.
Love Isabeau, keep goodly cheer; The Little Tower will stand well here
Many a year when we are dead, And over it our green and red,
Barred with the Lady's golden head, From mere old age when we are dead.
THE SAILING OF THE SWORD
Across the empty garden-beds, _When the Sword went out to sea,_ I scarcely saw my sisters' heads Bowed each beside a tree.
I could not see the castle leads, _When the Sword went out to sea,_
Alicia wore a scarlet gown, _When the Sword went out to sea,_ But Ursula's was russet brown: For the mist we could not see The scarlet roofs of the good town, _When the Sword went out to sea._
Green holly in Alicia's hand, _When the Sword went out to sea;_ With sere oak-leaves did Ursula stand; O! yet alas for me!
I did but bear a peel'd white wand, _When the Sword went out to sea._
O, russet brown and scarlet bright, _When the Sword went out to sea,_ My sisters wore; I wore but white: Red, brown, and white, are three; Three damozels; each had a knight, _When the Sword went out to sea._
Sir Robert shouted loud, and said: _When the Sword went out to sea,_ Alicia, while I see thy head, What shall I bring for thee?
O, my sweet Lord, a ruby red: _The Sword went out to sea._
Sir Miles said, while the sails hung down, _When the Sword went out to sea,_ O, Ursula! while I see the town, What shall I bring for thee?
Dear knight, bring back a falcon brown: _The Sword went out to sea._
But my Roland, no word he said _When the Sword went out to sea,_ But only turn'd away his head; A quick shriek came from me: Come back, dear lord, to your white maid.
_The Sword went out to sea._
The hot sun bit the garden-beds _When the Sword came back from sea;_ Beneath an apple-tree our heads Stretched out toward the sea; Grey gleam'd the thirsty castle-leads, _When the Sword came back from sea._
Lord Robert brought a ruby red, _When the Sword came back from sea;_ He kissed Alicia on the head: I am come back to thee; 'Tis time, sweet love, that we were wed, _Now the Sword is back from sea!_
Sir Miles he bore a falcon brown, _When the Sword came back from sea;_ His arms went round tall Ursula's gown: What joy, O love, but thee?
Let us be wed in the good town, _Now the Sword is back from sea!_
My heart grew sick, no more afraid, _When the Sword came back from sea;_ Upon the deck a tall white maid Sat on Lord Roland's knee; His chin was press'd upon her head, _When the Sword came back from sea!_
SPELL-BOUND