And he kiss'd her and took her for his bride. But a Shape came in at the dead of night, And fill'd the room with snowy light. And he saw how in his arms there lay A thing more frightful than mouth may say. And he rose in haste, and follow'd the Shape Till morning crown'd an eastern cape. And he girded himself and follow'd still, When sunset sainted the western hill. But, mocking and thwarting, clung to his side, Weary day!--the foul Witch-Bride ----Wm. Allingham. [Illustration: 0267] THE MILKMAID [Illustration: 0268] |O where are you going so early? he said; Good luck go with you, my pretty maid; To tell you my mind Im half afraid, But I wish I were your sweetheart. When the morning sun is shining low, And the cocks in every farmyard crow, I'll carry your pail, O'er hill and dale, And I'll go with you a-milking. I'm going a-milking, sir, says she, Through the dew, and across the lea; You ne'er would even yourself to me, Or take me for your sweetheart. When the morning sun, &c. Now give me your milking-stool awhile, To carry it down to yonder stile; I'm wishing every step a mile, And myself your only sweetheart. When the morning sun, &c. O, here's the stile in-under the tree, And there's the path in the grass for me, And I thank you kindly, sir, says she, And wish you a better sweetheart. When the morning sun, &c. Now give me your milking-pail, says he, And while were going across the lea, Pray reckon your master's cows to me, Although I'm not your sweetheart. When the morning sun, &c. Two of them red, and two of them white, Two of them yellow and silky bright, She told him her master's cows aright, Though he was not her sweetheart. When the morning sun, &c. She sat and milk'd in the morning sun, And when her milking was over and done, She found him waiting, all as one As if he were her sweetheart. When the morning sun, &c. He freely offer'd his heart and hand; Now she has a farm at her command, And cows of her own to graze the land; Success to all true sweethearts! When the morning sun is shining low, And the cocks in every farmyard crow, I'll carry your pail O'er hill and dale, And I'll go with you a-milking, ---Wm. Allingham. THE NOBLEMAN'S WEDDING |I once was guest at a Nobleman's wedding; Fair was the Bride, but she scarce had been kind, And now in our mirth, she had tears nigh the shedding; Her former true lover still runs in her mind. Attired like a minstrel, her former true lover Takes up his harp, and runs over the strings; And there among strangers, his grief to discover, A fair maiden's falsehood he bitterly sings. "Now here is the token of gold that was broken;