The Messenger
There lived a knight in olden days, Sir Wilfred was his name.
And all throughout the Christendom he travelled far and wide,
And had a trusty squire who was ever by his side.
Once in a foreign land they saw a portrait on the wall,
It showed young Lady Ursula, for that's what she was called.
This lady was the prettiest Sir Wilfred ever seen:
Her hair was like a stream of gold, her eyes - of meadow green.
Sir Wilfred's heart was won, he fell in love with her at once
And he desired to have her for the lady of his house.
But he who wished to meet her had a hard long way to go,
Where dark and deep black forests grew and icy rivers flowed.
'My squire, you have always been a loyal friend to me,
So hurry, mount your horse and bring this lady home to me!'
The squire promptly took his horse and quickly rode away,
Before the sun went down he was already on his way.
He fought with beasts in forests black, the rivers did he ford
And knew no rest until he reached sweet Ursula's abode.
And lo, he saw her in the window, sewing in her tower,
Her eyes were like two emeralds, her face was like a flower.
Her voice was music as she shook her wondrous hair of gold:
'Come in, come in, I welcome you, O rider young and bold!
I have been sitting in this tower for many a lonely day,
But no one ever dared to come down this untrodden way.'
Another seven days had gone, the messenger came home,
The fair Lady Ursula behind him on his horse.
And there was much rejoicing there as soon as they appeared,
The birds did sing, the bells did ring, and everybody cheered.
Sir Wilfred greeted them as he came running to the yard,
He said, 'Now shall the wedlock bless the union of our hearts!'
The messenger turned pale and said, 'Sir, not while I'm alive!
She used to be your own true love, but now she is my wife.'
© 2002
