Lady Weeping at the Crossroads

Lady, weeping at the crossroads
Would you meet your love
In the twilight with his greyhounds
And the hawk on his glove?

Bribe the birds then on the branches
Bribe them to be dumb
Stare the hot sun out of heaven
That the night may come

Starless are the nights of travel
Bleak the winter wind
Run with terror all before you
And regret behind

Run until you hear the ocean's
Everlasting cry
Deep though it may be and bitter
You must drink it dry
Wear out patience in the lowest
Dungeons of the sea
Searching through the stranded shipwrecks
For the golden key

Push into the world's end, pay the
Dread guard with a kiss
Cross the rotten bridge that totters
Over the abyss

There stands the deserted castle
Ready to explore
Enter, climb the marble staircase
Open the locked door

Cross the silent empty ballroom
Doubt and danger past
Blow the cobwebs from the mirror
See yourself at last

Put your hand behind the wainscot
You have done your part
Find the penknife there and plunge it
Into your false heart