SONGS.

I.

Into a cave the maid she threw, A sign upon the door she drew; The maid forgot the light, the key Fell down into the sea.

She waited while the summer went: More than seven years she was pent, Every year a stranger pa.s.sed.

She waited while the winter went; And while she waited, waited yet, Her hair the light could not forget.

It sought the light, and found it out, It glided through the stones about, And lit the rocks that held her pent.

One eve again a pa.s.ser-by, He knew not what the radiance meant, And dared not come anigh.

He thinks a portent is foretold, He thinks it is a well of gold.

He thinks the angels are at play, He turns aside, and wends his way.

II.

And if he come back some day, What shall be said to him?-- One for him waited, say, Until her eyes grew dim....

And if again he spake, And did not know me more?-- Like a sister answer make, He might be suffering sore....

And if he would be told Where you are dwelling now?-- Give him my ring of gold, And bend your silent brow....

And if he miss the clock's tick, And see the dust on the floor?-- Show him the lamp's burnt wick, Show him the open door....

And if his last he saith, And ask how you fell asleep?-- Tell him I smiled in death, For fear lest he should weep....

III.

Three little maidens they have slain To find out what their hearts contain

The first of them was brimmed with bliss, And everywhere her blood was shed For full three years three serpents hiss.

The second full of kindness sweet, And everywhere her blood was shed, Three lambs three years have gra.s.s to eat.

The third was full of pain and rue, And everywhere her blood was shed, Three seraphim watch three years through.

IV.

The maids with the bandaged eyes (Do off the bands of gold) The maids with the bandaged eyes Are seeking their destinies....

Went in at the noon of day (Keep on the bands of gold) In at the gate went they Of the palace of prairies gray....

Life saluting then, (Tie close the bands of gold) Life saluting then, They never came out again.

V.

The three blind sisters, (Let not our hope grow cold) The three blind sisters Have their lamps of gold.

Into the tower they climb, (We, you, and they) Into the tower they climb, Wait till the seventh day....

Ah! said the first one, (Still hopes the heart, and fights) Ah! said the first one, I can hear our lights....

Ah! said the second, bending, (They, you, and we) Ah! said the second, bending, It is the King ascending....

Nay, said the saintliest, (Still be our courage stout) Nay, said the saintliest, Our lights have all gone out....

VI.

The seven virgins of Orlamonde, When the fairy had pa.s.sed away, The seven virgins of Orlamonde, Sought the gates of day.

Have lit the wick of their seven lanterns, Have opened, flight by flight, The door of full four hundred chambers, But have not found the light ...

They come unto the sounding caverns, Go down, with courage cold, And in the lock of a closed portal Find a key of gold.

Through the c.h.i.n.ks they see the ocean, They are afraid of death, Dare not ope, knock at the portal, With bated breath.

VII.

She had three diadems of gold, To whom did she give them?

Does one unto her parents bring: And they have bought three reeds of gold, And kept it till the Spring.

Gives one unto her lovers all: And they have bought three nets of silver, And kept it till the Fall.

One she to her children brings: And they have brought three iron rings, And chained it up the Winter long.

VIII.

Towards the palace she came-- The sun was scarcely rising-- Towards the palace she came, The knights all gazed, surmising, Silent was every dame.

She stopped before the gate-- The sun was scarcely rising-- She stopped before the gate; They heard the Queen descending, And the King questioning her.

Where are you wending, where are you wending?

One scarce can see, take care-- Where are you wending, where are you wending?

Does some one wait for you there?

But she made answer not.

She came down towards the Stranger,-- Take care, one scarce can see-- She came down towards the Stranger; The Stranger kissed the Queen, No word did either say, But went straightway.