I came to your town, my love, 
   And you were away, away! 
I said "She is with the Queen's maidens: 
   They tarry long at their play. 
They are stringing her words like pearls 
To throw to the dukes and earls." 
   But O, the pity! 
I had but a morn of windy red 
To come to the town where you were bred, 
   And you were away, away! 

I came to your town, my love, 
   And you were away, away! 
I said, "She is with the mountain elves 
   And misty and fair as they. 
They are spinning a diamond net 
To cover her curls of jet." 
   But O, the pity! 
I had but a noon of searing heat 
To come to your town, my love, my sweet, 
   And you were away, away! 

I came to your town, my love, 
   And you were away, away! 
I said, "She is with the pale white saints, 
   And they tarry long to pray. 
They give her a white lily-crown, 
And I fear she will never come down." 
   But O, the pity! 
I had but an even grey and wan 
To come to your town and plead as man, 
   And you were away, away!