The Bearing of the Vine (Alice Kipling Fleming)
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.