Lays and legends

"Come, fill me flagons full and fair Of red wine and of white, And, maidens mine, my bower prepare— It is my wedding night. "And braid my hair with jewels bright, And make me fair and fine— This is the day that brings the night When my desire is mine." They decked her bower with roses blown, With rushes strewed the floor, And sewed more jewels on her gown Than ever she wore before. She wore two roses in her face, Two jewels in her e'en, Her hair was crowned with sunset rays, Her brows shone white between. 2 "Tapers at the bed's foot," she saith, "Two tapers at the head!" It seemed more like the bed of death Than like a bridal bed. He came; he took her hands in his, He kissed her on the face; "There is more heaven in thy kiss Than in our Lady's grace". He kissed her once, he kissed her twice, He kissed her three times o'er; He kissed her brow, he kissed her eyes, He kissed her mouth's red flower. "O Love, what is it ails thy knight? I sicken and I pine; Is it the red wine or the white, Or that sweet kiss of thine?" "No kiss, no wine or white or red, Can make such sickness be, Lie down and die on thy bride-bed For I have poisoned thee.