Kate and Isobel

*There are only two damsels in this tale; all variations were simply for ease of writing. Once Kate and Isabella went To see the pretty fields of Gwent And traipse through forest shade They packed a picnic lunch for two And skipped away in dresses blue To find a charming glade First tea and cakes, then off to play They laughed and wandered all the day 'Till day was waxing faint Then homeward faced, linked arm in arm With never fear to cause alarm Nor caution bring restraint Alas! Alas! there lay a hole With plot to swallow heart and soul One golden-headed girl That wretched hole may death berate And end of being imprecate That vile, vicious churl! "Oh, help me, Kate!" cried Isobel But fingers slipped and in she fell 'Mid shock and disbelief Then Isabella, far below Called, "Quickly, Katie! quickly go For aid and sure relief." Then Katie knelt beside the brim Once sparkling eyes with tears aswim And said, "I'll here remain." But Isobel at once demurred "Oh, Kate, some help must be secured I cannot move for pain." So off she went and searched around But not one soul could there be found Nor ever likely step't She stopped awhile to sit and rest Her folded hands to bosom pressed And there she softly wept A mounted knight then riding by Beheld her tears and heard her sigh And off his palfrey lit Said he, "Fair damsel, golden-haired Such doleful frame must be repaired So speak thou whilst I sit." "Alas, good Knight!" quoth woeful Kate It may, I fear, be just too late To save my friend to day With haste, good knight, come, follow me And see if succour yet may be Oh, help me, knight, I pray." The knight bestrode his lofty seat Then set her aftward nice and neat And off they set at trot The knight she held with firmest hold 'Till at the pit both dark and cold They Isabella sought While night sped on at rapid pace The knight set out to win the race And save the damsel whole A rope he from his saddle fetched And tree to Isabella stretched Then clambered in the hole Right down the rope he quickly swung And to her side he deftly sprung He raised her from the dust He tied a rope from waist to waist And she her arms about him placed In sweet, confiding trust A span or two to hand he climbed With Isabella right behind 'Till safety was secured Then Kate and Isobel embraced Said Kate, "What awful things you faced And terrors you endured!" Well, this was Isobel's reply "Oh, Kate, I should not tell a lie In word or even deed Except to brave that curséd fall It really was not bad at all I knew you would succeed." Then to the knight she turned and saith "I thank thee, Knight, by all my faith For saving me this night Thus here I give my ring to wear And trust that ye might ever fare As well in ev'ry fight." Then quoth the knight, "Thy ring I take With faith that it myself will make A nobler, better man To fight for justice, truth, and peace In hope that vice and evil cease In ev'ry way I can. "But let us neither tarry long For hark! the cricket's evening song Pervades the damp'ning air So let me take thee, damsel, home 'Twould never do to leave thee roam On halting legs to there." Thus Isobel his palfrey rode While Kate and he beside her strode Right to their township sweet "'Tis Belle and Kate!" the watchman called And quickly down the drawbridge hauled That they their kin might meet The threesome turned from roads away To streets of black and muted grey 'Till safely home at last "Oh, praise the Lord," quoth Isobel That though some trouble us befell Those troubles now are past!" "'Tis not so true," quoth Knight with grin There yet remains to get thee in And halting legs at that." Then from the palfrey off she slipped The knight her falling figure gripped And bore her o'er the mat His burden carried up the stairs 'Mid father's, mother's wond'ring stares And gently placed in bed Her father asked her why he came She said that she was nearly lame And dizzied in the head At that he wished the knight to stay But through the dark he rode away His lamp the crescent moon And though he had some deed to do Those pretty maidens somehow knew The knight would see them soon