Defence of Guenevere and Other Poems — The Sailing of the Sword
THE SAILING OF THE SWORD
Across the empty garden-beds, _When the Sword went out to sea,_ I scarcely saw my sisters' heads Bowed each beside a tree.
I could not see the castle leads, _When the Sword went out to sea,_ Alicia wore a scarlet gown, _When the Sword went out to sea,_ But Ursula's was russet brown: For the mist we could not see The scarlet roofs of the good town, _When the Sword went out to sea.
_ Green holly in Alicia's hand, _When the Sword went out to sea;_ With sere oak-leaves did Ursula stand;
O!
yet alas for me!
I did but bear a peel'd white wand, _When the Sword went out to sea.
_ O, russet brown and scarlet bright, _When the Sword went out to sea,_ My sisters wore; I wore but white: Red, brown, and white, are three;
Three damozels; each had a knight, _When the Sword went out to sea.
_ Sir Robert shouted loud, and said: _When the Sword went out to sea,_ Alicia, while I see thy head, What shall I bring for thee?
O, my sweet Lord, a ruby red: _The Sword went out to sea.
_ Sir Miles said, while the sails hung down, _When the Sword went out to sea,_ O, Ursula!
while I see the town, What shall I bring for thee?
Dear knight, bring back a falcon brown: _The Sword went out to sea.
_ But my Roland, no word he said _When the Sword went out to sea,_ But only turn'd away his head;
A quick shriek came from me: Come back, dear lord, to your white maid.
_The Sword went out to sea.
_ The hot sun bit the garden-beds _When the Sword came back from sea;_ Beneath an apple-tree our heads Stretched out toward the sea;
Grey gleam'd the thirsty castle-leads, _When the Sword came back from sea.
_ Lord Robert brought a ruby red, _When the Sword came back from sea;_ He kissed Alicia on the head: I am come back to thee;
'Tis time, sweet love, that we were wed, _Now the Sword is back from sea!
_ Sir Miles he bore a falcon brown, _When the Sword came back from sea;_ His arms went round tall Ursula's gown: What joy, O love, but thee?
Let us be wed in the good town, _Now the Sword is back from sea!
_ My heart grew sick, no more afraid, _When the Sword came back from sea;_ Upon the deck a tall white maid Sat on Lord Roland's knee;
His chin was press'd upon her head, _When the Sword came back from sea!
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