Classic Poem

A father and a mother,
And with them their young son,
To Saint James of Galicia
On pilgrimage are gone,

With rosaries at girdle,
And pilgrim staffs in hand;
A short way from the city
They see a tavern stand;

And watching for their coming,
The damsel of the place
Speaks to the boy pilgrim:
" A kiss, sir, of your grace. "

" Nay, by Saint James, and by God's law, "
The pilgrim answered sage,
" He must not kiss a maiden,
Who goes on pilgrimage. "

The damsel of the tavern
Straightway on vengeance thinks;
She takes the golden goblet
From which her uncle drinks,

The precious golden goblet
That for himself he keeps;
She hides it in the wallet,
While the young pilgrim sleeps.

When comes the hour for dinner,
They nowhere find the cup;
They search for it all vainly,
When comes the hour to sup.

Says the damsel: " That young pilgrim
Has stolen the cup away. "
" If I have stolen your golden cup,
Hang me this very day! "

Now they have searched the wallet,
And found the cup of gold;
The Justice of the city
He is severe and old.

He has bidden them hang the pilgrim
Upon that very day.
The father and the mother
Go sadly on their way.

But when they are returning,
The mother needs must see
Her boy's body where it hangs
Upon the gallows tree.

" Oh, go not that way, woman,
Thy grief will come again. "
" Let it come or not come, I will go
And whisper Aves twain. "

Now when the pilgrims reach the place,
Oh, wonderful to see!
The boy's body stirs with life
Upon the gallows tree.

" How comes it, O my son, my son!
That still thou art alive? "
" Mother, in such good company,
Well may I live and thrive.

" The Virgin holds my body's weight,
Saint James my feet, " he said;
" The Holy Ghost, by night and day,
Is holding up my head. "

Father and mother go in haste
To seek the mayor then;
They find him sitting down to dine
Upon a cock and hen.

" God save thee, Master Mayor,
And all thy company!
Take down my son who is alive
Upon the gallows tree. "

" Away, you crazy woman! "
The mayor shouted then:
" Your boy is as much alive
As are this cock and hen! "

And straight the hen has laid an egg,
The cock he is a-crowing!
A blessed miracle it is,
Of God Almighty's showing.

To take the boy pilgrim down
The mayor hurried;
But the damsel of the tavern
They hanged her in his stead.