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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


SONG: THE MARINER'S BRIDE by JAMES CLARENCE MANGAN

First Line: LOOK, MOTHER! THE MARINER'S ROWING
Last Line: AND BE THE MARINER'S BRIDE!

Look, Mother! the Mariner's rowing
His galley a-down the tide;
I'll go where the mariner's going,
And be the mariner's bride!


I saw him one day through the wicket,
I opened the gate and we met-
As a bird in the fowler's net
Was I caught in my own green thicket.
O mother, my tears are flowing,
I've lost my maidenly pride-
I'll go if the mariner's going,
And be the mariner's bride!


This Love the tyrant evinces,
Alas! an omnipotent might,
He darkens the mind like night,
He treads on the necks of Princes!
O mother, my bosom is glowing,
I'll go whatever betide;
I'll go where the mariner's going,
And be the mariner's bride!


Yes! mother, the spoiler has reft me
Of reason and self-control;
Gone, gone is my wretched soul,
And only my body is left me!
The winds, O mother, are blowing,
The ocean is bright and wide;
I'll go where the mariner's going;
And be the mariner's bride.




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