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THE BALLAD OF SQUIRE CURTIS, by             Poem Explanation         Poet's Biography
First Line: Squire curtis had a cruel mouth
Alternate Author Name(s): Pollex, D.; Walker, Patricius


SQUIRE Curtis had a cruel mouth,
Tho' honey was on his tongue;
Squire Curtis woo'd and wedded a wife,
And she was fair and young.


She watches me early and late;
She's meek and good and cold of mood.'-
His liking turn'd to hate.
One autumn eve they rode through the woods,


Far and far away;
The dusk is drawing round, ' she said,
'I fear we have gone astray.'
He spake no word, but lighted down,


And tied his horse to a tree;
Out of the pillion he lifted her;
Tis a lonely place, ' said she.


Down a forest-alley he walk'd,
And she walk'd by his side;
'Would Heav'n we were at home!' she said,


'These woods are dark and wide!'
He spake no word, but still walk'd on;
The branches shut out the sky;
In the darkest place he turn'd him
Tis here that you must die. '


Once she shriek'd and never again;
He stabb'd her with his knife;
Once, twice, thrice, and every blow
Enough to take a life.


A grave was ready; he laid her in;
He fill'd it up with care;
Under the brambles and fallen leaves
Small sign of a grave was there.


He rode for an hour at a steady pace,
Till back to his house came he;
On face or clothing, on foot or hand,
No stain that eye could see.


He boldly call'd to his serving-man,
As he lighted at the door:
'Your Mistress is gone on a sudden journey, -
May stay for a month or more.


In two days I shall follow her;
Let her waiting- woman know.'
Sir,' said the serving-man,
'My Lady Came in an hour ago.'


Squire Curtis sat him down in a chair,
And moved neither hand nor head.
In there came the waiting-woman,
'Alas the day!' she said.


Alas! good Sir, ' says the waiting- woman,
'What aileth my Mistress dear,
That she sits alone without sign or word ?
There is something wrong, I fear! '


Her face was white as any corpse
As up the stair she pass'd;
She never turn'd, she never spoke;
And the chamber-door is fast.


'She's waiting for you. ' 'A lie!' he shouts,
And up to his feet doth start;
My wife is buried in Brimley Holt,
With three wounds in her heart. '


They search'd the forest by lantern light,
They search'd by dawn of day;
At noon they found the bramble-brake
And the pit where her body lay.


They carried the murder'd woman home,
Slow walking side by side.
Squire Curtis he swung upon gallows- tree,
But confess'd before he died.






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