(18)
Then hastened up the aisle, where all
The people flocked, both great and small.
The people flocked, both great and small.
The priest said, as the knight drew near,
"And wherefore comes the white chief here?"
The lovely maid, she smiled aside;
"Oh! would I were the white chief's bride!"
"And wherefore comes the white chief here?"
The lovely maid, she smiled aside;
"Oh! would I were the white chief's bride!"
He stepped o'er benches one and two;
"Oh! lovely maid, I die for you!"
He stepped o'er benches two and three;
"Oh! lovely maiden, go with me!"
"Oh! lovely maid, I die for you!"
He stepped o'er benches two and three;
"Oh! lovely maiden, go with me!"
Then sweet she smiled, the lovely maid;
And while she gave her hand, she said,
"Betide me joy, betide me woe,
O'er hill, o'er dale, with thee I go."
And while she gave her hand, she said,
"Betide me joy, betide me woe,
O'er hill, o'er dale, with thee I go."
The priest their hands together joins:
They dance, while clear the moon-beam shines;
And little thinks the maiden bright,
Her partner is the water-spright.
They dance, while clear the moon-beam shines;
And little thinks the maiden bright,
Her partner is the water-spright.
Oh! had some spirit deigned to sing,
"Your partner is the water-king!"
The maid had fear and hate confessed,
And cursed the hand which then she pressed.
"Your partner is the water-king!"
The maid had fear and hate confessed,
And cursed the hand which then she pressed.
But nothing giving cause to think
How near she strayed to danger's brink,
How near she strayed to danger's brink,
