Poems (Jones)/The Ballad of Ethel Lee

by Amanda Theodosia Jones

THE BALLAD OF ETHEL LEE.

I.
AIR Ethel, the hill-side is cold,
 The pathway is rugged and bleak;
 The whirling snows whiten thy cheek;
The north wind is ruthless and bold;
 Hear the firs, how they shudder and shriek!
 There is nought for a maiden to seek—
Not a blossom would dare to unfold!
    Lovely Ethel, return
To thy place by the hearth, where the scarlet flowers brighten and burn!"

II.
"Oh barren and bleak is the hill!
 Oh cruel and cold is the wind!
 But the souls I am leaving behind
Are colder, less merciful still!
 They have thrust me out rude and unkind;
 Far I seek and no shelter I find;
Through my heart, through my heart creeps the chill!
    But I will not return!
Not for me on their hearth shall the scarlet flowers blossom and burn!"

III.
"Now, why have they thrust thee away,
 This death of the outcast to dree?"
 "For the troth thou hast plighted to me,
Thy mother did spurn me to-day.
 'He shall wed not the servant,' said she:
 'Shall not stoop from his noble degree!'
Ride thou on to thy castle, and say
    That I scorn to return
To the hearth of the proud, though the scarlet flowers blossom and burn!"

IV.
Oh wroth was Laird William that hour!
 And he sware, "Ere the daylight hath fled,
 The son of her house thou shalt wed!
The bells shall peal out in yon tower;
 The glad feast of our bridal be spread;
 And thy truth and thy beauty," he said,
"Shall be counted rich treasure and dower!
    And none shall dare spurn
My bride from the hearth where the scarlet flowers blossom and burn."

V.
How vain is thy scorn, Ethel Lee!
 He has snatched thee from sorrow and death;
 Thy pale cheek is warm with his breath;
His steed gallops fleetly and free.
 "Ho! my mother, make ready!" he saith;
 So a merry, brave wedding he hath!
All the bells laugh aloud in their glee
    At sweet Ethel's return;
And she smiles by the hearth where the scarlet flowers blossom and burn!