LOVE FROM THE NORTH.
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had a love in soft south land,Beloved through April far in May;He waited on my lightest breath,And never dared to say me nay. He saddened if my cheer was sad,But gay he grew if I was gay;We never differed on a hair,My yes his yes, my nay his nay. The wedding hour was come, the aislesWere flushed with sun and flowers that day;I pacing balanced in my thoughts,--"It's quite too late to think of nay."-- My bridegroom answered in his turn,Myself had almost answered "yea":When through the flashing nave I heard.A struggle and resounding "nay." Bridemaids and bridegroom shrank in fear,But I stood high who stood at bay:"And if I answer yea, fair Sir,What man art thou to bar with nay?" He was a strong man from the north,Light-locked, with eyes of dangerous gray:"Put yea by for another timeIn which I will not say thee nay." He took me in his strong white arms,He bore me on his horse awayO'er crag, morass, and hair-breadth pass,But never asked me yea or nay. He made me fast with book and bell,With links of love he makes me stay;Till now I've neither heart nor powerNor will nor wish to say him nay.
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