I WAS a cottage-maiden Hardened by sun and air, Contented with my cottage-mates, Not mindful I was fair. Why did a great lord find me out And praise my flaxen hair? Why did a great lord find me out To fill my heart with care? He lured me to his palace-home -- Woe's me for joy thereof -- To lead a shameless shameful life, His plaything and his love. He wore me like a golden knot, He changed me like a glove: So now I moan an unclean thing Who might have been a dove. O Lady Kate, my Cousin Kate, You grew more fair than I: He saw you at your father's gate, Chose you and cast me by. He watched your steps along the lane, Your sport among the rye: He lifted you from mean estate To sit with him on high. Because you were so good and pure He bound you with his ring: The neighbours call you good and pure, Call me an outcast thing. Even so I sit and howl in dust, You sit in gold and sing: Now which of us has tenderer heart? You had the stronger wing. O Cousin Kate, my love was true, Your love was writ in sand: If he had fooled not me but you, If you stood where I stand, He had not won me with his love Nor bought me with his land: I would have spit into his face And not have taken his hand. Yet I've a gift you have not got And seem not like to get: For all your clothes and wedding-ring I've little doubt you fret. My fair-haired son, my shame, my pride, Cling closer, closer yet: Your sire would give broad lands for one To wear his coronet. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...GOD'S GARDEN by RICHARD EUGENE BURTON DEJECTION: AN ODE by SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE UPON THE NIPPLES OF JULIA'S BREAST by ROBERT HERRICK THE SNOWING OF THE PINES' by THOMAS WENTWORTH HIGGINSON THE PRE-ADAMITE WORLD by WILFRID SCAWEN BLUNT FILIPPO BALDINUCCI ON THE PRIVILEGE OF BURIAL by ROBERT BROWNING |