I came to your town, my love, br    And you were away, away! br I said "She is with the Queen's maidens: br    They tarry long at their play. br They are stringing her words like pearls br To throw to the dukes and earls." br    But O, the pity! br I had but a morn of windy red br To come to the town where you were bred, br    And you were away, away! br br I came to your town, my love, br    And you were away, away! br I said, "She is with the mountain elves br    And misty and fair as they. br They are spinning a diamond net br To cover her curls of jet." br    But O, the pity! br I had but a noon of searing heat br To come to your town, my love, my sweet, br    And you were away, away! br br I came to your town, my love, br    And you were away, away! br I said, "She is with the pale white saints, br    And they tarry long to pray. br They give her a white lily-crown, br And I fear she will never come down.