A crash of boughs! - one through them breaking! Mercy is startled, and fain would fly, But e'en as she turns, her steps o'ertaking, He pleads with her - "Mercy, it is but I!" Mercy! he touches her hand unbidden - The air is balmy, I pray you stay - Mercy?" Her downcast eyes are hidden, And never a word she has to say. Till closer drawn, her prison'd fingers He takes to his lips with a yearning strong; And she murmurs low, that late she lingers, Her mother will want her, and think her long. Good mother is she, then honor duly The lightest wish in her heart that stirs; But there is a bond yet dearer truly, And there is a love that passeth hers. Mercy, Mercy! Her heart attendeth - Love's birthday blush on her brow lies sweet; She turns her face when his own he bendeth, And the lips of the youth and the maiden meet. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE BOOK OF THEL by WILLIAM BLAKE VERSES TO HER ROYAL HIGHNESS THE DUCHESS OF YORK by JOHN DRYDEN ON A FLOWER FROM THE FIELD OF GRUTLI by FELICIA DOROTHEA HEMANS THE POET'S SONG FOR HIS WIFE by BRYAN WALLER PROCTER THE SONG OF THE MOUTH-ORGAN by ROBERT WILLIAM SERVICE |