Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE LADY GODIVA (1), by WALTER JOHN DE LA MARE


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THE LADY GODIVA (1), by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: The lady godiva, all tender and fair
Last Line: And of folk to be pitied there's none like the blind.
Alternate Author Name(s): Ramal, Walter; De La Mare, Walter
Subject(s): Godiva, Lady (1140-1180)


The Lady Godiva, all tender and fair,
On shoulders and bosom her loose gold hair,
With none but small birds flitting winsome to see,
Rode bare in her beauty through Coventry.

White was the palfrey Godiva did sit,
Shrill rang his bridle-rein, clear clankt his bit;
Youthful her cheek, and 'twas lovesomely bent
On the streets of the township all shuttered and shent.

Strange was that solitude. Strange 'twas to be
The only soul stirring in hushed Coventry.
And she blushed -- and laughed out -- when she chanced for to spy
Through the chink of a shutter poor Tom's peeping eye.

A child in his manners, how could he forbear
To watch utter loveliness taking the air?
Alas! -- but so marvellous bright she did shine
There was naught left but dream in the dark of his eyne.

'Twas a secret between them; and false 'twere to say
That Tom was a sorrowful man from that day.
For pity brimmed deep in Godiva's clear mind,
And of folk to be pitied there's none like the blind.





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