Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE MILKMAID AND THE BANKER, by HORACE SMITH


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE MILKMAID AND THE BANKER, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: A milkmaid, with a very pretty face
Last Line: "will reach acton some minutes before me."
Alternate Author Name(s): Smith, Horatio
Subject(s): Banks And Banking; Cows; Love


A MILKMAID, with a very pretty face,
Who lived at Acton,
Had a black Cow the ugliest in the place,
A crooked-backed one,
A beast as dangerous, too, as she was frightful,
Vicious, and spiteful;
And so confirmed a truant, that she bounded
Over the hedges daily, and got pounded:
'Twas all in vain to tie her with a tether,
For then both Cow and cord eloped together.
Armed with an oaken bough -- (what folly!
It should have been of thorn, or prickly holly,)
Patty one day was driving home the beast,
Which had, as usual, slipped its anchor,
When on the road she met a certain Banker,
Who stopped to give his eyes a feast,
By gazing on her features crimsoned high
By a long Cow-chase in July.

"Are you from Acton, pretty lass?" he cried;
"Yes" -- with a curtesy she replied.
"Why, then you know the laundress, Sally Wrench?"
"Yes, she's my cousin, sir, and next-door neighbour."
"That's lucky -- I've a message for the wench,
Which needs dispatch, and you may save my labour.
Give her this kiss, my dear, and say I sent it:
But mind, you owe me one -- I've only lent it."
"She shall know," cried the girl, as she brandish'd her bough,
"Of the loving intentions you bore me;
But since you're in haste for the kiss, you'll allow,
That you'd better run forward and give it my Cow,
For she, at the rate she is scampering now,
Will reach Acton some minutes before me."





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