ix      The Queen and maids at dawn one harvest time Rode to the orchard. Joy was in each heart To pick the ruby cherry in its prime. Beneath the grafted tree they left their cart. Up ladders to the clusters sweet and tart They balanced woven buckets. Others willed To sing and dance, while those who knew the art Played harp and flute. The blood-red fingers skilled    Soon swelled their sacks and baskets or their aprons filled.  x    Etain a raven saw who stretched its wings. To it she tossed a cherry which it bit. But she was soon entwined in garland rings. Until she sought a quiet place to sit. For dancing she felt she was quite unfit. She tumbled down beneath the grafted tree, Away from armies armed with stem and pit Whose sleeves were stained, red wounds on every knee    And though their mouths were full, they chanted merrily: What gives good luck? What should I gently pluck?    The cherry and the    Clover and the...O What test or lot  Proves if he loves or not?    The daisy and the    Buttercup. What 'neath my head Brings visions to my bed?    The lilac and the     Mandrake and the...O What should I view To make my lover true?    The myrtle and the    Marigold. What saves my house From rain and fire and mouse?    The fennel and the    Seaweed and the...O What keeps the child From growing rash and wild?    The rowan and the    Mistletoe. When fever fills What cures the aches and chills?    The nettle and the    Aspen and the...O What stops the pain, Makes gout and headaches wane?    The cowslip and the    Blackberry. What should I shun, Not touch till day's begun?    The nightshade and the    Poppy and the...O What plucked at night Gives dreams and second-sight?    The primrose and the    Pimpernel. What at my lip Is certain death to sip?    The elder and the    Hemlock and the...O What serves them best When dead are laid to rest?    The holly and the    Meadow sweet.

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