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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


LASS OF CARRICK by JAMES CLARENCE MANGAN

First Line: O, HAVE YOU BEEN IN CARRICK...AND HAVE YOU MET HER?
Last Line: BURN THOUGH IT MUST IN GLOOM AND STILLNESS'

Have you been at Carrick, and saw you my true-love there?
And saw you her features, all beautiful, bright, and fair?
Saw you the most fragrant, flow'ring, sweet apple-tree?
O! saw you my lov'd one, and pines she in grief, like me?


I have been at Carrick, and saw thy own true love there;
And saw, too, her features, all beautiful, bright, andfair;
And saw the most fragrant, flowering, sweet apple-tree
I saw thy lov'd one-she pines not in grief, like thee!


Five guineas would price every tress of her golden hair
Then think what a treasure her pillow at night toshare,
These tresses thick-clustering and curling around her brow-
O, Ringlet of Fairness! I'll drink to thy beauty now!


When seeking to slumber, my bosom is rent with sighs
I toss on my pillow till morning's blest beams arise;
No aid, bright Beloved! can reach me save God above,
For a blood-lake is form'd of the light of my eyes with love!


Until yellow Autumn shall usher the Paschal day,
And Patrick's gay festival come in its train alway
Until through my coffin the blossoming boughs shall grow,
My love on another I'll never in life bestow!


Lo! yonder the maiden illustrious, queen-like, high,
With long-flowing tresses, adown to her sandal-tie;
Swan, fair as the lily, descended of high degree,
A myriad of welcomes, dear maid of my heart, to thee!




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