The Blackbird's Song MAGDALEN at Michael's gate Tirled at the pin; On Joseph's thorn, sang the blackbird, "Let her in! let her in!" "Hast thou seen the wounds?" said Michael, "Know'st thou thy sin?” "It is evening, evening," sang the blackbird, "Let her in! let her in!" "Yes I have seen the wounds, And I know my sin." "She knows it well, well, well," sang the blackbird, "Let her in! let her in!" "Thou bringest no offerings," said Michael, "Nought save sin." And the blackbird sang, "She is sorry, sorry, sorry, Let her in! let her in!' When he had sung himself to sleep, And night did begin, One came and opened Michael's gate, And Magdalen went in. H. KINGSLEY. 1 Maiden-Song = LONG ago and long ago, And long ago still, There dwelt three merry maidens And one was dainty May, But one was fair Margaret, More fair than I can say, Long ago and long ago. When Meggan plucked the thorny rose, And when Margaret plucked a flag-flower, All the beasts, and all the birds, And all the fishes came To her hand more soft than snow. Strawberry leaves and May-dew Strawberry leaves and May-dew "I go for strawberry leaves," "Fair Margaret can bide at home, So these two fair sisters And round the homestead hill: Born to cling and lean; Thus she sat to sing and sew. When she raised her lustrous eyes With pathetic pleadings low. Light-foot May with Meggan Clothed with thyme-alternate grass : A gracious rest and play; Sun-glow flushed their comely cheeks, While shrill as birds on topmost twig Sped a herdsman from the vale, All on fire to hear and see, With floating locks he came. But sat him down at Meggan's feet And wooed her with a silent awe, She sang the tears into his eyes, The heart out of his breast: So he loved her, listening so. She sang the heart out of his breast, Simple words and true : Then Meggan mused within herself: Than dwell where fairer Margaret sits, I will be lady of his love, And he shall worship me; I will be lady of his herds And stoop to his degree, At home where kids and fatlings grow." |