Eleanor Farjeon

“ To dance if not to fly–oh, see!
As you are dancing now,
Dancing on the bough,
Dancing on the bough,
Dancing with your tilted wings
On the apple-bough.'
Now as Martin sang and the milkmaids danced, it seemed that Gillian in her prison heard and saw nothing except the music and the movement of her sorrows. But presently she raised her hand and touched her hairband, and then she lifted up the fairest face Martin had ever seen, so that he needs must see it nearer; and he took the green gate in one stride, and the green dancers never observed him. ”

“ When he came down again Martin observed, 'It must be a very bitter sorrow that will put a man off his dinner.'
'It is the bitterest,' said the youth, and went his way.
At his next coming Martin inquired, 'What is the name of your sorrow?'
'Love,' said the youth. By now he was somewhat distant from the gate when he came abreast of it, and Martin Pippin did not catch the word. So he called loudly:
'What?'
'Love!' shouted the youth. His voice cracked on it. He appeared slightly annoyed. Martin chewed a grass and watched him up and down the meadow. ”

“ Direct me to your Gillian's apple orchard.'
'It is useless,' Robin said. 'For even if you could cross the duck-pond, and evade the ducks, and compass the green gate, my sweetheart's father's milkmaids are not to be come over by any man; and they watch the well-house day and night.'
'Yet direct me to the orchard,' repeated Martin Pippin, and thrummed his lute a little. ”