Ballad.
Her sisters three had lovers
three,1
And troth rings on their hand—2
No lover had fair Marjory,3
The fairest in the land.4
There came an unknown knight to her,5
Within the forest way—6
They wandered long, they wandered late,7
To the ending of the day.8
‘ Oh, turn again with me,’ she said,9
‘ The wind is strong and bleak—10
And long I’ve left my father’s house,11
And long, long will they seek.’12
‘ I may not turn, fair Marjory,13
However bleak it be—14
I’m no guest for thy father’s hall,15
I am no love for
thee.16
‘ Oh, haste thee, for the night falls fast,17
On to thy father’s gate.18
Ne’er had we met, if we had known19
That we should part so late.’20
‘ But yet I will not turn,’ she said,21
‘ Though wind be keen and strong—22
Too long I’ve left my father’s hall ;23
And we have wandered long.’24
‘ Thou may’st not follow, Marjory,25
Whither I must be gone.26
Had I known what thy face would be,27
I ne’er had looked thereon.’28
He left no kiss upon her lips,29
Upon her brow no kiss ;30
But deep he looked into her eyes,31
And she looked deep in his.32
She stood before her father’s hall,33
As ’twere an alien place—34
And strange her beauty seemed to them,35
As of an unknown face.36
Three noble knights her sisters wed,37
And merry hearts had they—38
And Marjory danced among the guests39
Upon their wedding day.40
Oh, ever yet she seemed most fair,41
But like a star grown dim.42
There came to her an unknown knight43
And prayed her dance with him.44
He looked into her dreaming eyes,45
Where never a smile there shone.46
Then Marjory put her hand in his,47
And still the dance went on.48
Light was her step as raindrop’s fall,49
As they went through the throng—50
Within her eyes a look of rest51
That had been absent long.52
So silently they left the dance,53
There was none bade them stay—54
Yet ere the dawn, with looks of fear,55
They followed on her way.56
They found her as the morning broke,57
There where she lay alone.58
There was a light upon her face,59
She clasped a cross of stone.60