When my love was away, 
Full three days were not sped, 
I caught my fancy astray 
Thinking if she were dead, 

And I alone, alone: 
It seem'd in my misery 
In all the world was none 
Ever so lone as I. 

I wept; but it did not shame 
Nor comfort my heart: away 
I rode as I might, and came 
To my love at close of day. 

The sight of her still'd my fears, 
My fairest-hearted love: 
And yet in her eyes were tears: 
Which when I question'd of, 

'O now thou art come,' she cried, 
''Tis fled: but I thought to-day 
I never could here abide, 
If thou wert longer away.'