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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE BETROTHAL by EDNA ST. VINCENT MILLAY

Poet Analysis

First Line: OH, COME, MY LAD, OR GO, MY LAD
Last Line: THERE'S FEW ENOUGH AS IS.
Subject(s): HAPPINESS; LOVE - MARITAL; MARRIAGE; JOY; DELIGHT; WEDDED LOVE; MARRIAGE - LOVE; WEDDINGS; HUSBANDS; WIVES;

Oh, come, my lad, or go, my lad,
And love me if you like.
I shall not hear the door shut
Nor the knocker strike.

Oh, bring me gifts or beg me gifts,
And wed me if you will.
I'd make a man a good wife,
Sensible and still.

And why should I be cold, my lad,
And why should you repine,
Because I love a dark head
That never will be mine?

I might as well be easing you
As lie alone in bed
And waste the night in wanting
A cruel dark head.

You might as well be calling yours
What never will be his,
And one of us be happy.
There's few enough as is.



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