When the spinning-room was here <br />Came Three Damsels, clothed in white, <br />With their spindles every night; <br />One and Two and three fair Maidens, <br />Spinning to a pulsing cadence, <br />Singing songs of Elfin-Mere; <br />Till the eleventh hour was toll'd, <br />Then departed through the wold. <br />Years ago, and years ago; <br />And the tall reeds sigh as the wind doth blow. <br /> <br />Three white Lilies, calm and clear, <br />And they were loved by every one; <br />Most of all, the Pastor's Son, <br />Listening to their gentle singing, <br />Felt his heart go from him, clinging <br />Round these Maids of Elfin-Mere. <br />Sued each night to make them stay, <br />Sadden'd when they went away. <br />Years ago, and years ago; <br />And the tall reeds sigh as the wind doth blow. <br /> <br />Hands that shook with love and fear <br />Dared put back the village clock,- <br />Flew the spindle, turn'd the rock, <br />Flow'd the song with subtle rounding, <br />Till the false 'eleven' was sounding; <br />Then these Maids of Elfin-Mere <br />Swiftly, softly, left the room, <br />Like three doves on snowy plume. <br />Years ago, and years ago; <br />And the tall reeds sigh as the wind doth blow. <br /> <br />One that night who wander'd near <br />Heard lamentings by the shore, <br />Saw at dawn three stains of gore <br />In the waters fade and dwindle. <br />Never more with song and spindle <br />Saw we Maids of Elfin-Mere, <br />The Pastor's Son did pine and die; <br />Because true love should never lie. <br />Years ago, and years ago; <br />And the tall reeds sigh as the wind doth blow.<br /><br />William Allingham<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-maids-of-elfin-mere/
