SHE had hair gold as her father's corn; She tripped and sung, Like to a little lamb new-born, So gay, so young. She gathered lone in the long day's shade, So soft, so shy, Ripe berries red, poor little maid— And he came by. He loved youth well, and her years were few, Was he ever young? A cold heart hid 'neath his eyes stone blue, And a honeyed tongue. He loved gold hair, and her tresses strayed Like the pale sunrise, And a gentle gaze, poor little maid— She had sweet eyes. He rode all lone with his horse and hound, Now his hunting done. With his chin on breast and his eyes on ground In the setting sun. She gathered there in the long day's shade Ripe fruit all red, And life was good, poor little maid, She sung and said. But Fate in an evil mood let slip A rolling stone In the steed's swift way, and it ran to trip The frightened roan. She leaned from the bush, all sore afraid At the tumult there, Her dimpled face, poor little maid, And shining hair. He stayed to woo and his love to tell For an idle day, Opened the gates of Heaven—of Hell— Then rode away. With a smile and a jest for his time delayed, He came to town— In the lake's deep heart, poor little maid, She laid her down. And I, who heard the tale retold, Still wond'ring wait. Will the man some time, a thousandfold, Repent her fate? But he laughs to-day with his sin unpaid, And she sleeping lies— So white, so still—poor little maid, She had sweet eyes. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...BROTHERHOOD (2) by EDWIN MARKHAM FAIRIES' SONG by THOMAS RANDOLPH A CHARACTER OF JOSEPH PRIESTLY by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD A NEW PILGRIMAGE: 13 by WILFRID SCAWEN BLUNT THE LEGEND OF GOOD WOMEN: 4. PART 2. THE LEGEND OF MEDEA by GEOFFREY CHAUCER |