Poems & Ballads Volume I Part 32

THE KING'S DAUGHTER

We were ten maidens in the green corn, Small red leaves in the mill-water: Fairer maidens never were born, Apples of gold for the king's daughter.

We were ten maidens by a well-head, Small white birds in the mill-water: Sweeter maidens never were wed, Rings of red for the king's daughter.

The first to spin, the second to sing, Seeds of wheat in the mill-water; The third may was a goodly thing, White bread and brown for the king's daughter.

The fourth to sew and the fifth to play, Fair green weed in the mill-water; The sixth may was a goodly may, White wine and red for the king's daughter.

The seventh to woo, the eighth to wed, Fair thin reeds in the mill-water; The ninth had gold work on her head, Honey in the comb for the king's daughter.

The ninth had gold work round her hair, Fallen flowers in the mill-water; The tenth may was goodly and fair, Golden gloves for the king's daughter.

We were ten maidens in a field green, Fallen fruit in the mill-water; Fairer maidens never have been, Golden sleeves for the king's daughter.

By there comes the king's young son, A little wind in the mill-water; "Out of ten maidens ye'll grant me one,"

A crown of red for the king's daughter.

"Out of ten mays ye'll give me the best,"

A little rain in the mill-water; A bed of yellow straw for all the rest, A bed of gold for the king's daughter.

He's ta'en out the goodliest, Rain that rains in the mill-water; A comb of yellow sh.e.l.l for all the rest, A comb of gold for the king's daughter.

He's made her bed to the goodliest, Wind and hail in the mill-water; A gra.s.s girdle for all the rest, A girdle of arms for the king's daughter.

He's set his heart to the goodliest, Snow that snows in the mill-water; Nine little kisses for all the rest, An hundredfold for the king's daughter.

He's ta'en his leave at the goodliest, Broken boats in the mill-water; Golden gifts for all the rest, Sorrow of heart for the king's daughter.

"Ye'll make a grave for my fair body,"

Running rain in the mill-water; "And ye'll streek my brother at the side of me,"

The pains of h.e.l.l for the king's daughter.

AFTER DEATH

The four boards of the coffin lid Heard all the dead man did.

The first curse was in his mouth, Made of grave's mould and deadly drouth.

The next curse was in his head, Made of G.o.d's work discomfited.

The next curse was in his hands, Made out of two grave-bands.

The next curse was in his feet, Made out of a grave-sheet.

"I had fair coins red and white, And my name was as great light;

I had fair clothes green and red, And strong gold bound round my head.

But no meat comes in my mouth, Now I fare as the worm doth;

And no gold binds in my hair, Now I fare as the blind fare.

My live thews were of great strength, Now am I waxen a span's length;

My live sides were full of l.u.s.t, Now are they dried with dust."

The first board spake and said: "Is it best eating flesh or bread?"

The second answered it: "Is wine or honey the more sweet?"

The third board spake and said: "Is red gold worth a girl's gold head?"

The fourth made answer thus: "All these things are as one with us."

The dead man asked of them: "Is the green land stained brown with flame?

Have they hewn my son for beasts to eat, And my wife's body for beasts' meat?

Have they boiled my maid in a bra.s.s pan, And built a gallows to hang my man?"

The boards said to him: "This is a lewd thing that ye deem.

Your wife has gotten a golden bed, All the sheets are sewn with red.

Your son has gotten a coat of silk, The sleeves are soft as curded milk.

Your maid has gotten a kirtle new, All the skirt has braids of blue.

Your man has gotten both ring and glove, Wrought well for eyes to love."

The dead man answered thus: "What good gift shall G.o.d give us?"

The boards answered him anon: "Flesh to feed h.e.l.l's worm upon."

MAY JANET

(BRETON)