Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, BALLAD TO THE TUNE - 'ONCE I LOVED A MAIDEN FAIR', by PATRICK CAREY


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

BALLAD TO THE TUNE - 'ONCE I LOVED A MAIDEN FAIR', by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Fair one! If thus kind you be
Last Line: When y' are not, forsake you.
Subject(s): Beauty; Love – Nature Of; Likes & Dislikes


I

FAIR ONE! if thus kind you be,
Yet intend a slaughter,
Faith, you'll lose your pains with me,
Elsewhere seek hereafter:
Though your looks be sharp, and quick,
Think not (pray) to drill me;
Love, perchance, may make me sick,
But will never kill me.

II

Were my mistress ne'er so brown,
Yet, if kind, I'd prize her;
Who's most fair, if she but frown,
I shall soon despise her:
I love kindness, and not face;
Who scorns me, I hate her:
Courtesy gives much more grace,
In my mind, than feature.

III

Red and white adorn the cheek
Less by far, than smiling;
That's the beauty I most seek,
That charm's most beguiling.
Fair one! now you know my mind
See if th' humour take you;
I shall love you, whilst y' are kind;
When y' are not, forsake you.





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