Classic Poem

The king of Spain's fair daughter
Would some employment know,
Both how to wash a garment
She'd learn, and how to sew.

But ere the first fine garment
Washed wholly white could be,
The ring from off her finger
Hath fallen in the sea!

The damsel fell a-weeping,
A tender heart had she;
When lo! a knight rode near her
Right worshipful to see.

" What wilt thou give me, fair one,
If I thy ring restore? " —
" I scarcely can deny thee
One kiss — or even more. "

The knight soon doffed his armour
And plunged beneath the sea;
But when his dive was ended,
With naught returned he.

Again he dived — before him
The ring shone bright and round;
But when he dived the third time,
The luckless knight was drowned!

The damsel fell a-weeping,
A tender heart had she;
She trembling sought her father:
" Henceforth no work for me! "