As I did travel all on a journey Over the wayside and under a dark moon Hanging above a mountain
I spied a young man riding a fine horse Chasing a white hart and all through the woodland There go the hunting and cries
And there followed after ten kings and queens Laughing and joking, the white hart they'd seen Bloodied running into the bushes
I plume to his helmet, a quiver and a bow There's nowhere to run now, there's no place to go The hunter is fast and ready
Still farther I journeyed through the hills and the valleys Until upon the verge of despair I sat and rested And there did pass a princely knight poursuite by a lady And this she did say: "Oh may I ask you kind sir where you are going? And pray tell unto me sir why you do hurry Strange that I should meet you here, come sit by me. "I have here a magic horn to deliver And one drop from this silver and gold horn I hold, sir Shall prove all to be false, lovers beware!" "The gift that you bear for your brother the king I gladly would carry to the banquet this even' What fair sport this would be for the maidens at court."
Wearily I crossed the stream to the castle Where I found shelter from the cold wintry wind And food did I have and plenty But the Lord and Lady seemed so sad For these words they did say unto each other: "My good lord, all off to war in thy armor Leaving me here alone to weep and to worry Take care lest misadventure Shall overcome thy kindly heart My good lord, all off to war in thy armor." "My lady, you have no need for to worry I'll return victorious and true unto thee Take care, lest misadventure Shall stain your heart and lead to woe My fair lady you have no need for to worry."
While underneath the spreading oak a knight with white device Upon a shield of black, and deep in grief and sorrow sings His unrequited love "Young noblewoman riding by, pray tell me have you seen Queen Azelda the fairest maid, in company she rides For I swear to have revenge."
A thousand days have come and passed, the Lord returns this night The victor from the bloody wars proven his fearsome might As ever he would claim But fate has played its wanton game, the circle come full turn The magic horn has done its work, cried "Falseness is found out!" The sorrowed quest is over.