Florence Randal Livesay

From “Slavic Songs”

The bride sings to her lover:
Broad were the leaves on the lofty tree—

Why came you not last night to me?

I wonder! But of course

Maybe you had no horse!

Maybe you lost your way!

Your mother made you stay?

Her lover replies:
I had the horse and the way I knew,

And my mother kept me not from you.

But my youngest sister loves you not.

She hid my saddle in some strange spot.

My oldest sister sought and found—

Swift on my horse’s back ’twas bound.

She whispered, “Try and get there soon,

Riding along by the light o’ the moon!

“In body brave keep a good head,

Brother o’ mine,” she laughing said.

“In Sweetheart Land there’s much to learn,

The road has many a curve and turn.

“Don’t lose your horse, don’t go astray!

Ride—ere yet dawns your wedding day.”