Alice Brown-A West-Country Lover
| A West-Country Lover |
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THEN, lady, at last thou art sick of my sighing. Good-bye! So long as I sue, thou wilt still be denying? Good-bye! Ah, well! shall I vow then to serve thee forever, 5 And swear no unkindness our kinship can sever? Nay, nay, dear my lass! here’s an end of endeavor. Good-bye! Yet let no sweet ruth for my misery grieve thee. Good-bye! 10 The man who has loved knows as well how to leave thee. Good-bye! The gorse is enkindled, there’s bloom on the heather, And love is my joy, but so too is fair weather; I still ride abroad though we ride not together. 15 Good-bye! My horse is my mate; let the wind be my master. Good-bye! Though Care may pursue, yet my hound follows faster. Good-bye! 20 The red deer’s a-tremble in coverts unbroken. He hears the hoof-thunder; he scents the death-token. Shall I mope at home, under vows never spoken? Good-bye! The brown earth’s my book, and I ride forth to read it. 25 Good-bye! The stream runneth fast, but my will shall outspeed it. Good-bye! I love thee, dear lass, but I hate the hag Sorrow. As sun follows rain, and to-night has its morrow, 30 So I’ll taste of joy, though I steal, beg, or borrow! Good-bye! |
