Hand in Hand/Three Maidens

by Alice MacDonald Kipling

Three Maidens

I HEARD three maidens laughing merrily,
All three were young and one was very fair;
Except in jest they had not breathed a sigh,
And save the name, they nothing knew of care.

As I came by they rose and clasped me round:
"Tell us," they said, "for you have older years,
What is this love that each of us has found;
Is it a thing for laughter, or for tears?"

One held my hand,—she would not let me go—
The fairest whispered softly, "Answer me."
The third said lightly, "Ah, she does not know;
Love never came so near that she should see!"

I could not speak the truth—I would not lie—
And so without a word I passed them by.