Page:Bohemian legends and other poems.djvu/70

“Before the cock crows, thou must be
My wife, so come along with me.

“Don’t talk, but come along with me,
Ere the day dawn, my wife thou’lt be.”

It was deep midnight when they went,
The moon far off watched, nearly spent.

The landscape lay in silence deep,
Only the wind it would not sleep.

And he went onward, striding fast,
She, step for step, behind him passed.

The dogs came out and howled in choir,
When’er they passed a cottage door.

And see, they saw a strange, strange sight,
A corpse that walked about at night.

“The night is fine—such nights the dead
Rise from their graves, I’ve heard it said.

“And ere one knows, stand by one’s side—
My love doth fear? Wouldst thou hide?”

“Why should I fear? Why should I hide?
God is above—thou by my side.

“But tell me, is your father well?
And will he like with me to dwell?

“And is your mother satisfied,
To have me always by her side?”

“Why, my beloved one, do you ask?
Keep your health only for this task.

“To reach our home—come quick, come quick—
The way is long—thou art not quick.