Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE MILKMAID; A NEW SONG TO AN OLD TUNE by HENRY AUSTIN DOBSON

Poet Analysis

First Line: ACROSS THE GRASS I SEE HER PASS
Last Line: OR BLOOMS THE EGLANTINE.
Subject(s): MILK; MILKMEN; MILKMAIDS;
ACROSS the grass I see her pass;
She comes with tripping pace, --
A maid I know, -- and March winds blow
Her hair across her face; --
With a hey, Dolly! ho, Dolly!
Dolly shall be mine,
Before the spray is white with May,
Or blooms the eglantine.

The March winds blow. I watch her go:
Her eye is brown and clear;
Her cheek is brown, and soft as down,
(To those who see it near!) --
With a hey, Dolly! ho, Dolly!
Dolly shall be mine,
Before the spray is white with May,
Or blooms the eglantine.

What has she not that those have got, --
The dames that walk in silk!
If she undo her 'kerchief blue,
Her neck is white as milk.
With a hey, Dolly! ho, Dolly!
Dolly shall be mine,
Before the spray is white with May,
Or blooms the eglantine.

Let those who will be proud and chill!
For me, from June to June,
My Dolly's words are sweet as curds --
Her laugh is like a tune; --
With a hey, Dolly! ho, Dolly!
Dolly shall be mine,
Before the spray is white with May,
Or blooms the eglantine.

Break, break to hear, O crocus-spear!
O tall Lent-lilies flame!
There'll be a bride at Easter-tide,
And Dolly is her name.
With a hey, Dolly! ho, Dolly!
Dolly shall be mine,
Before the spray is white with May,
Or blooms the eglantine.



Home: PoetryExplorer.net