Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE MOSELLE BOATMAN AND HIS DAUGHTER (2), by CHARLES TENNYSON TURNER


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE MOSELLE BOATMAN AND HIS DAUGHTER (2), by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: When first we took the stream, the maiden held
Last Line: Rose from her seat, to make her rowing tell.
Subject(s): Boats; Rowing


When first we took the stream, the maiden held
The oar, to keep her father's strength unworn
For midday labour; but the sight compelled
Our pity, and the aid of pity born -
For at each stroke, whose ripples reached the land,
She rose up bodily, with toil and pain,
And often paused, and dipped her little hand,
To cool her brow, yet did she not complain;
Full oft, in day-dreams of that sweet Moselle,
I seek my gentle Gretchen, and persuade
My questing memory that all goes well
At Alf, by Bertrich, with that village-maid,
Who, when the task her slender force outweighed,
Rose from her seat, to make her rowing tell.





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