I had a love in soft south land, Beloved through April far in May; He waited on my lightest breath, And never dared to say me nay.
He saddened if my cheer was sad, But gay he grew if I was gay; We never differed on a hair, My yes his yes, my nay his nay.
The wedding hour was come, the aisles Were flushed with sun and flowers that day; I pacing balanced in my thoughts,-- "It's quite too late to think of nay."--
My bridegroom answered in his turn, Myself had almost answered "yea": When through the flashing nave I heard. A struggle and resounding "nay."
Bridemaids and bridegroom shrank in fear, But I stood high who stood at bay: "And if I answer yea, fair Sir, What man art thou to bar with nay?"
He was a strong man from the north, Light-locked, with eyes of dangerous gray: "Put yea by for another time In which I will not say thee nay."
He took me in his strong white arms, He bore me on his horse away O'er crag, morass, and hair-breadth pass, But never asked me yea or nay.
He made me fast with book and bell, With links of love he makes me stay; Till now I've neither heart nor power Nor will nor wish to say him nay.