I HAVE traced the valleys fair In May morning's dewy air, My bonny Mary Lee! Wilt thou deign the wreath to wear, Gathered all for thee? They are not flowers of Pride, For they graced the dingle-side; Yet they grew in Heaven's smile, My gentle Mary Lee! Can they fear thy frowns the while Though offerèd by me? Here's the lily of the vale, That perfumed the morning gale, My fairy Mary Lee! All so spotless and so pale, Like thine own purity. And might I make it known, 'T is an emblem of my own Love,—if I dare so name My esteem for thee. Surely flowers can bear no blame, My bonny Mary Lee. Here's the violet's modest blue, That 'neath hawthorns hides from view, My gentle Mary Lee, Would show whose heart is true, While it thinks of thee. While they choose each lowly spot, The sun disdains them not; I' m as lowly too, indeed, My charming Mary Lee; So I 've brought the flowers to plead, And win a smile from thee. Here 's a wild rose just in bud; Spring's beauty in its hood, My bonny Mary Lee! 'T is the first in all the wood I could find for thee. Though a blush is scarcely seen, Yet it hides its worth within, Like my love; for I 've no power, My angel Mary Lee, To speak unless the flower Can make excuse for me. Though they deck no princely halls, In bouquets for glittering balls, My gentle Mary Lee, Richer hues than painted walls Will make them dear to thee; For the blue and laughing sky Spreads a grander canopy Than all wealth's golden skill, My charming Mary Lee! Love would make them dearer still, That offers them to thee. My wreathèd flowers are few, Yet no fairer drink the dew, My bonny Mary Lee! They may seem as trifles too,— Not, I hope, to thee; Some may boast a richer prize Under pride and wealth's disguise; None a fonder offering bore Than this of mine to thee; And can true love wish for more? Surely not, Mary Lee! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...OF A BAD SINGER; EPIGRAM by SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE THE FOREIGN SAILOR by WILLIAM ROSE BENET THORALF AND SYNNOV by HJALMAR HJORTH BOYESEN A FABLE FOR POETS by BERTON BRALEY SONGS OF THE SEA CHILDREN: 114 by BLISS CARMAN THE WIFE OF FLANDERS by GILBERT KEITH CHESTERTON IN WAR-TIME (AN AMERICAN HOMEWARD-BOUND) by FLORENCE EARLE COATES |