In her palace porch a Princess—
The sun was red and low—
At her feet a subject kneeling—
Sweet, far-off bells were pealing—
He rose and turned to go.
“I give you my love!” quoth the Princess
To the subject, bending low.
Ah, Goldenhair, what hast thou given!—
The sun is round and red—
As thou standest there in the portal,
A Princess’ love, to a mortal!—
The bells toll for the dead—
A kiss from the lips of the Princess,
But never a word she said.
Still radiant stood the Princess—
The bells no longer tolled—
At her feet the subject kneeling—
The far-off chimes were pealing
Their sweet notes as of old—
“I give you my love!” quoth the Princess;
And the sun was a crown of gold.