BEFORE me the sexton's daughter fair Through the sacred edifice skipped; Her size was small, and light her hair, From her neck her kerchief had slipped. In the old cathedral for sixpence I got A sight of its marvellous creatures, Its tombs, lights, crosses; I turn'd quite hot When I gazed on Elspeth's features. And once again I stared about At the sacred relics entrancing; In their under-petticoats all trick'd out, On the window the women were dancing. The sexton's little daughter fair Stood by me, while thus I inspected. She had a very pretty pair Of eyes, wherein all was reflected. Before me the sexton's daughter fair From the sacred edifice skipped; Her mouth was small, her neck was bare, From her bosom her kerchief had slipped. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE WOODLARK by GERARD MANLEY HOPKINS AN ESSAY ON MAN by ALEXANDER POPE THE VAGABONDS by JOHN TOWNSEND TROWBRIDGE DRUG STORE by JOHN VAN ALSTYN WEAVER THE DEAD LEAF by ANTOINE VINCENT ARNAULT |