Towards the palace she came--
The sun was scarcely rising--
Towards the palace she came,
The knights all gazed, surmising,
Silent was every dame.
She stopped before the gate--
The sun was scarcely rising--
She stopped before the gate;
They heard the Queen descending,
And the King questioning her.
Where are you wending, where are you wending?
One scarce can see, take care--
Where are you wending, where are you wending?
Does some one wait for you there?
But she made answer not.
She came down towards the Stranger,--
Take care, one scarce can see--
She came down towards the Stranger;
The Stranger kissed the Queen,
No word did either say,
But went straightway.
The King at the gate was weeping;--
Take care, one scarce can see--
The King at the gate was weeping;
They heard the Queen departing,
They heard the leaves down-sweeping.