Legends of the North; The Guidman O' Inglismill and The Fairy Bride Part 5

Around her form his arms he flung, To kiss her lips so cherry bright, But nothing he held, for the sylph-like form Ethereal prov'd as a stream of light.

"Lady," he said, "this is pa.s.sing strange!

Thour't there!--I see thy curls of gold, I see the flash of thy l.u.s.trous eyes, But I cannot thy form enfold."

"My form is of air, so virgin pure By mortal it cannot be press'd Till by the cross of his sword he swear Alone I shall dwell in his breast."

Then he bent him low before the cross, And he vowed, by all he held dear, That ever he'd prove her own true lord, And _only_ she his much loved fere.

"_Now_, come to my arms, thou beauteous fair,"

And he grasped her fondly and fast, Kissing her lips, grown woman again, Fearing his joy too great to last.

"I'm thine, only thine, mine own dear lord, Never again to roam apart; Oh! let me nestle within thine arms, Let me live in thine inmost heart."

He lifted her on the saddle-bow Of his gallant roan, standing near, And proudly it shook its stately head As her voice fell soft on its ear.

In triumph it bore them fleetly home; And the liegemen for years could tell How the old halls rung with "welcomes home"

To Lord Hay and fair Claribel.

Revelry rang in that castle old, And oft they pledged him deep and free; And much they talked of his prowess bold, And his truth and his braverie.

But more they spoke of his fair, fair bride, And her beauty so wondrous bright; Lighting his halls like the sun's first rays Dispersing the shadows of night.

Long, long did they mourn in Fairyland For the Princess, dear Claribel; Long was she missed in revel and court, In palace and bower and dell.

But oft, when hidden among the flowers, Watching the lovers in dalliance gay, The fairy maidens would whisper low, "Would _we were_ but as Lady Hay!"