BUSH BALLADS AND RHYMES 



We held this motto, " Whoso harms 

 The one shall harm the three ! " 



Till, matchless for her subtle charms. 

 Beloved of each was she. 



(These two were slain that I might kiss 

 Her sweet mouth. I did well ; 



I said, "There is no greater bliss 

 For those in heaven that dwell " ; 



I lost her ; then I said, " There is 

 No fiercer pang in hell ! ") 



We have upheld each other's rights, 

 Shared purse, and borrow'd blade ; 



Have stricken side by side in fights ; 

 And side by side have prayed 



In churches. We were Christian knights, 

 And she a Christian maid. 



We met at sunrise, he and I, 

 My comrade — 'twas agreed 



The steel our quarrel first should try. 

 The poison should succeed ; 



For two of three were doom'd to die, 



And one was doom'd to bleed. 

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