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The Bearing of the Vine (Alice MacDonald Fleming, 1884)

[Published in Echoes, Lahore, 1884]

Three maidens dwelt in a Hall,
     White doves in the vine leaves green;
Fair maidens one and all,
     Rose wreaths for the head of the Queen.

The first was fair, the second was gay,
     Sweet buds in the vine leaves green;
The third may was a goodly may,
     Gold rings for the hand of the Queen.

Three knights by the castle door,
   Grey hawks in the vine leaves green;
Braver nights were never before,
     Ruby bands for the arm of the Queen.

The first was strong, the second was brave,
Black wolves in the vine leaves green;
The third had all a knight could have,
     Diamond stars for the brow of the Queen.

The first could fight, the second could kill,
     Dark snakes in the vine leaves green;
The third knight could do all his will,
     Gold shoes for the feet of the Queen.

Six living before the noon,
  Red blood in the vine leaves green;
Six corpses beneath the moon,
     Hell fire for the soul of the Queen.

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