The Maid in the Linden Tree

A maiden went in mantle blue
To where a graceful linden grew.
Against so blithe a summer,

Oak trees and beech she there might see,
But green as leeks the linden tree
Against so blithe a summer,

"Good morrow, linden! fresh and fair!
"How bright as gold the leaves you bear!"

"To me is no such flattery due,
"With better luck God blesses you.

"For you sit warm with fire and light,
"And I stand freezing through the night.

"While we were children, young and small,
"Our mother left us orphans all.

"A new wife then my father sought,
"And home a harsh stepmother brought.

"She changed us, some to fleeting deer,
"And some as hawks bade skim the air;

"Myself a linden tree she made,
"And set to grow on a green-wood glade.

"Alike the summer breezes blow,
"Or chill me winter's frost and snow;

"I no relief may hope to find,
"Till comes a prince to kiss my rind.

"Tomorrow a suitor kneels to you,
"But me to chips the woodmen hew.

"To you a suitor comes from Scone,
"But I by woodmen shall be thrown.

"They'll cleave, and build a boat of me,
"And launch me on the salty sea.

"Perchance, as some confessor's chair,
"I hear false wives their guilt declare.

"Perchance, become a bedstead amo,
"Hear whisper many a deed of shame."

"Wait here, poor linden, wait in peace;
"I'll pray to God for your release."

Her brother dwelt in a foreign land,
To him she wrote with lily hand.

Her letter read the knight and cried,
"In this affair be God ray guide!

"Befall myself what he decrees,
"I'll e'en in this my sister please."

He hoisted high his silken sail,
And crossed the sea with gentle gale.

He dress'd in costly mantle blue,
And went to where the linden grew.

He found the linden, kiss'd her wood,
And there at once a maiden stood.

With rosy cheek and flowing hair
Retired for shame the blushing fair.

O'er her bare charms his cloak he spread,
And then the maid to his sisters led.

Up to his sister's bower he went,
In courtesy she rose and bent

"Sister, the lily here behold,
"Of whom thy letter lately told.

"I've set her free from thrall and woe;
"On whom wilt thou her hand bestow?"

"Hear then my wish, dear brother mine,
"And let the lovely maid be thine."

He gave her first a golden band.
And then in troth pledged her his hand.

He made the blushing rose his bride,
And both have laid their cares aside.

Brother and sister both are gay,
They married, both, the selfsame day.
Against so blithe a summer.