Seven long years it was kept for your sake; You gave it to me as a true lover's token; No longer I'll wear it, asleep or awake." She sat in her place by the head of the table, The words of his ditty she mark'd them right well; To sit any longer this bride was not able, So down at the bridegrooms feet she fell. "O one, one request, my lord, one and no other, O this one request will you grant it to me? To lie for this night in the arms of my mother, And ever, and ever thereafter with thee." Her one, one request it was granted her fairly; Pale were her cheeks as she went up to bed; And the very next morning, early, early, They rose and they found this young bride was dead. The bridegroom ran quickly, he held her, he kiss'd her, He spoke loud and low, and listen'd full fain; He call'd on her waiting-maids round to assist her, But nothing could bring the lost breath back again. O carry her softly! the grave is made ready; At head and at foot plant a laurel-bush green; For she was a young and a sweet noble lady, The fairest young bride that I ever have seen. ---Wm. Allingham. St. Margaret's Eve |I built my castle upon the sea-side, _The waves roll so gaily O_, Half on the land and half in the tide, _Love me true!_ Within was silk, without was stone, _The waves roll so gaily O_, It lacks a queen, and that alone. _Love me true!_ The gray old harper sung to me, _The waves roll so gaily O_, "Beware of the Damsel of the Sea!" _Love me true!_ Saint Margaret's Eve it did befall, _The waves roll so gaily O_, The tide came creeping up the wall. _Love me true!_ I open'd my gate; who there should stand-- _The waves roll so gaily O_, But a fair lady, with a cup in her hand. _Love me true!_ The cup was gold, and full of wine, _The waves roll so gaily O_, "Drink," said the lady, "and I will be thine." _Love me true!_ "Enter my castle, lady fair," _The waves roll so gaily O_, "You shall be queen of all that's there." _Love me true!_ 99 A gray old harper sung to me," _The waves roll so gaily O_, "'Beware of the Damsel of the Sea!'" _Love me true!_ 19 In hall he harpeth many a year," _The waves roll so gaily O_, "And we will sit his song to hear." _Love me true!_ 991 love thee deep, I love thee true," _The waves roll so gaily O_, "But ah! I know not how to woo." _Love me true!_ Down dash'd the cup, with a sudden shock, _The waves roll so gaily O_, The wine like blood ran over the rock. _Love me true!_ She said no word, but shriek'd aloud, The waves roll so gaily O, And vanish'd away from where she stood. _Love me true!_