Page:Bohemian legends and other poems.djvu/81

And when they reached the forest dark
They said, “That snake, that beast, thou art!”
The mountains and valleys wept to see
How they killed the bride that was to be,
That poor girl without blemish.

“Rejoice now in your stalwart groom;
Rejoice within your pleasant room;
Look on him stately as a tower;
Gaze on his brow in festive hour,
You spinner, great in beauty.”

“Dear mother, tell me what to do
With eyes and limbs, what shall I do?
“Don’t leave them by the trunk, my daughter,
Who knows but some one here might loiter—
Yes, rather take them with you.”

And when they left the forest shade
The mother said, “Be not afraid;
You are alike—one like the other;
Like two eyes from the selfsame mother.
Take courage, then, my daughter.”

And as they neared the castle gate,
The king was watching for his mate.
He left the window, and went to meet,
With his lords behind, his maiden sweet;
He did not dream of treachery.

There was a wedding! Play on play,
The bride sat laughing all the day.
There were banquets, music all the time;
The world seemed to dance, to merry chime,
Till the seventh day had passed.

And on the eighth day the king spake:
“Alas! my bride I must forsake.
I must go and fight the haughty foe.
Be happy, my bride, and let no woe
Be thine till I come again.