I WAS a cottage-maiden Hardened by sun and air, Contented with my cottage-mates, Not mindful I was fair. Why did a great lord find me out And praise my flaxen hair? Why did a great lord find me out To fill my heart with care? He lured me to his palace-home -- Woe's me for joy thereof -- To lead a shameless shameful life, His plaything and his love. He wore me like a golden knot, He changed me like a glove: So now I moan an unclean thing Who might have been a dove. O Lady Kate, my Cousin Kate, You grew more fair than I: He saw you at your father's gate, Chose you and cast me by. He watched your steps along the lane, Your sport among the rye: He lifted you from mean estate To sit with him on high. Because you were so good and pure He bound you with his ring: The neighbours call you good and pure, Call me an outcast thing. Even so I sit and howl in dust, You sit in gold and sing: Now which of us has tenderer heart? You had the stronger wing. O Cousin Kate, my love was true, Your love was writ in sand: If he had fooled not me but you, If you stood where I stand, He had not won me with his love Nor bought me with his land: I would have spit into his face And not have taken his hand. Yet I've a gift you have not got And seem not like to get: For all your clothes and wedding-ring I've little doubt you fret. My fair-haired son, my shame, my pride, Cling closer, closer yet: Your sire would give broad lands for one To wear his coronet. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE CANDLE INDOORS by GERARD MANLEY HOPKINS WEARINESS by HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW THE COLLEGE COLONEL by HERMAN MELVILLE WINTER, FR. LOVE'S LABOUR'S LOST by WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE SUNDAY MORNING by WALLACE STEVENS WOMAN'S BEAUTY by LASCELLES ABERCROMBIE CHOEPHOROI: INVOCATION OF AGAMEMNON'S GHOST by AESCHYLUS SONG, FR. A VISION OF GIOGIONE: GEMMA'S SONG ON THE WATER by GORDON BOTTOMLEY |