12
UNSHRIVEN.
UNSHRIVEN.
Oh! the sun rose on the lea, and the bird sang merrilie,
And the steed stood ready harness'd in the hall,
And he left his lady's bower, and he sought the eastern tower,
And he lifted cloak and weapon from the wall.
And the steed stood ready harness'd in the hall,
And he left his lady's bower, and he sought the eastern tower,
And he lifted cloak and weapon from the wall.
“We were wed but yester-noon, must we separate so soon,
“Must you travel unassoiled and, aye, unshriven,
“With the blood stain on your hand, and the red streak on your brand,
“And your guilt all unconfess't and unforgiven?”
“Must you travel unassoiled and, aye, unshriven,
“With the blood stain on your hand, and the red streak on your brand,
“And your guilt all unconfess't and unforgiven?”
“Tho' it were but yester-even we were wedded, still unshriven,
“Across the moor this morning I must ride;
“I must gallop fast and straight, for my errand will not wait;
“Fear naught, I shall return at eventide.”
“Across the moor this morning I must ride;
“I must gallop fast and straight, for my errand will not wait;
“Fear naught, I shall return at eventide.”
