The Duke's Eldest Daughter
The duke’s second daughter was ravishing fair
Bright blue were her eyes and bright gold was her hair
The duke’s youngest daughter, with eyes like the sky
And hair like night shadows made courtiers sigh
But the duke’s eldest daughter, a maiden called Jane
Brown haired and brown eyed was decidedly plain
No suitor had she, not a soul sought her hand
Although she must wed first, by her father’s command
And nobody knew nor would care if were told
That plain little Jane had a voice of pure gold
Since no one would miss her at night on her own
Through evening dark forest she’d wander alone
Poor Jane knew a secret she’d learned by chance
The place in the forest where Elves came to dance
At night as she watched them in their magic ring
Enthralled by their music, Jane started to sing
Shocked by her own boldness, was still pleased to find
That harpist and dancers did not seem to mind
Came winter and Jane dare not wander by night
But drooped in the corner, a pitiful sight
And cruel her two sisters, impatient to wed
Would heap bitter scorn on unhappy Jane’s head
There was no escape from their torments but sleep
And long in the darkness Jane softly would weep
One evening they followed her right to her bed
And one said in anger, “I wish you were dead!”
So Jane fled in tears to the snow and the storm
Without even a thin cloak to keep herself warm
Soon lost in the dark and the snow soft and deep
She felt herself nodding and falling asleep
“Perhaps this is better,” she said with a sigh
And gave herself up to the storm then to die
But before death could claim her with fear-filled alarm
She was snatched from death cold hands by strong Elven arms
To Elf voices urging she lived, she awoke
Embraced by pure love and a warm Elven cloak
Now Jane disappeared in the storm it is said
And both the duke’s daughters are certain she’s dead
But if you should chance near that wild Elven hill
You’ll find that the Elf folk at night dance there still
And the music they dance to is sung and is played
By a proud harper Elf and his dear mortal maid
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