THE BALLAD OF THE WHITE LADY

Sir Geoffrey met the white lady

Upon his marriage morn,

Her eyes were blue as cornflowers are,

Her hair was gold like corn.

Sir Geoffrey gave the white lady

A posy of roses seven,

“You are the fairest May,” said he,

“That ever strayed from Heaven.”

Sir Geoffrey by the white lady

Was lured away to shame,

For seven long years of prayers and tears

No tidings of him came.

Then she who should have been his bride

A mighty oath she swore,

“For seven long years I have wept and prayed,

Now I will pray no more.

“Since God and all the saints of Heaven

Bring not my lord to me,

I will go down myself to hell

And bring him back,” said she.

She crept to the white lady’ s bower,

The taper’ s flame was dim,

And there Sir Geoffrey lay asleep,

And the white witch sat by him.

Her arm was laid across his neck,

Her gold hair on his face,

And there was silence in the room

As in a burial-place.

And there were gems and carven cups,

And’ broidered bridal gear —

“Whose bridal is this?” the lady said,

“And what knight have ye here?”

“The good knight here ye know full well,

He was your lord, I trow,

But I have taken him from your side,

And I am his lady now.

“This seven year with right good cheer

We twain our bridal keep,

So take for your mate another knight

And let my dear lord sleep.”

Then up and spake Sir Geoffrey’ s bride,

“What bridal cheer is this?

I would think scorn to have the lips

Who could not have the kiss!

“I would think scorn to take the half

Who could not have the whole;

I would think scorn to steal the body

Who could not take the soul!

“For, though ye hold his body fast

This seven weary year,

His soul walks ever at my side

And whispers in my ear.

“I would think scorn to hold in sleep

What, if it waked, would flee,

So let his body join his soul

And both fare forth with me;

“For I have learned a spell more strong

Than yours that laid him low,

And I will speak it for his sake

Because I love him so!”

The white lady threw back her hair,

Her eyes began to shine —

“His soul is thine these seven years?—

To-night it shall be mine!

“I have been brave to hold him here

While seven long years befell,

Rather than let a bridal be

Whose seed should flower in hell.

“I have not looked into his eyes

Nor joined my lips to his,

For fear his soul should spring to flame

And shrivel at my kiss.

“I have been brave to watch his sleep

While the long hours come and go,

To hold the body without the soul,

Because I love him so.

“But since his soul this seven year

Has sat by thee,” she said,

“His body and soul to-night shall lie

Upon my golden bed.

“Thou hast no need to speak the spell

That thou hast learned,” said she,

“For I will wake him from his sleep

And take his soul from thee.”

She stooped above him where he lay,

She laid her lips on his;

He stirred, he spake: “These seven long years

I have waited for thy kiss.

“My soul has hung upon thy lips

And trembled at thy breath,

Thou hast given me life in a cup to drink,

As God will give me death.

“Why didst thou fear to kill my soul

Which only lives for thee?

Thou hast put seven wasted years,

O love,’ twixt thee and me.”