The Sailing of the Sword

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,

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.

Green holly in Alicia’s hand,

When the Sword went out to sea;

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.

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.

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.

Sir Miles said, while the sails hung down,

When the Sword went out to sea,

O, Ursula! while I see the town,

What ............