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Defence of Guenevere and Other Poems

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<hr style="width: 65%;" />[Pg 178] <h2>THE SAILING OF THE SWORD</h2> <div class="cpoem22"><div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> ACROSS the empty garden-beds, When the Sword went out to sea, I scarcely saw my sisters' heads Bowed each beside a tree. I could not see the castle leads, When the Sword went out to sea, </div> <div class="stanza"> Alicia wore a scarlet gown, When the Sword went out to sea, But Ursula's was russet brown: For the mist we could not see The scarlet roofs of the good town, When the Sword went out to sea. </div> <div class="stanza"> Green holly in Alicia's hand, When the Sword went out to sea; [Pg 179] With sere oak-leaves did Ursula stand; O! yet alas for me! I did but bear a peel'd white wand, When the Sword went out to sea. </div> <div class="stanza"> O, russet brown and scarlet bright, When the Sword went out to sea, My sisters wore; I wore but white: Red, brown, and white, are three; Three damozels; each had a knight, When the Sword went out to sea. </div> <div class="stanza"> Sir Robert shouted loud, and said: When the Sword went out to sea, Alicia, while I see thy head, What shall I bring for thee? O, my sweet Lord, a ruby red: The Sword went out to sea. </div> <div class="stanza"> Sir Miles said, while the sails hung down, When the Sword went out to sea, O, Ursula! while I see the town, What shall I bring for thee? [Pg 180] Dear knight, bring back a falcon brown: The Sword went out to sea. </div> <div class="stanza"> But my Roland, no word he said When the Sword went out to sea, But only turn'd away his head; A quick shriek came from me: Come back, dear lord, to your white maid. The Sword went out to sea. </div> <div class="stanza"> The hot sun bit the garden-beds When the Sword came back from sea; Beneath an apple-tree our heads Stretched out toward the sea; Grey gleam'd the thirsty castle-leads, When the Sword came back from sea. </div> <div class="stanza"> Lord Robert brought a ruby red, When the Sword came back from sea; He kissed Alicia on the head: I am come back to thee; 'Tis time, sweet love, that we were wed, Now the Sword is back from sea! [Pg 181]</div> <div class="stanza"> Sir Miles he bore a falcon brown, When the Sword came back from sea; His arms went round tall Ursula's gown: What joy, O love, but thee? Let us be wed in the good town, Now the Sword is back from sea! </div> <div class="stanza"> My heart grew sick, no more afraid, When the Sword came back from sea; Upon the deck a tall white maid Sat on Lord Roland's knee; His chin was press'd upon her head, When the Sword came back from sea! </div> </div></div> <div style="break-after:column;"></div>

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