Classic and Contemporary Poetry
LAMENT FOR FLODDEN [FIELD], by JEAN ELLIOT (1727-1805) Poem Explanation Poet's Biography First Line: I've heard them lilting at our ewe-milking Last Line: The flowers of the forest are a' wede away. Alternate Author Name(s): Elliot, Jane Variant Title(s): The Flowers Of The Forest Subject(s): Flodden Field, England; Flowers; Love; Mourning; Bereavement | ||||||||
I'VE heard them lilting at our ewe-milking, Lasses a' lilting before dawn o' day; But now they are moaning on ilka green loaning -- The Flowers of the Forest are a' wede away. At bughts, in the morning, nae blythe lads are scorning, Lasses are lonely and dowie and wae; Nae daffing, nae gabbing, but sighing and sabbing, Ilk ane lifts her leglin and hies her away. In hairst, at the shearing, nae youths now are jeering, Bandsters are lyart, and runkled, and gray: At fair or at preaching, nae wooing, nae fleeching -- The Flowers of the Forest are a' wede away. At e'en, in the gloaming, nae swankies are roaming 'Bout stacks wi' the lasses at bogle to play; But ilk ane sits eerie, lamenting her dearie -- The Flowers of the Forest are a' wede away. Dool and wae for the order sent our lads to the Border! The English, for ance, by guile wan the day; The Flowers of the Forest, that fought aye the foremost, The prime of our land, lie cauld in the clay. We'll hear nae mair lilting at our ewe-milking; Women and bairns are heartless and wae; Sighing and moaning on ilka green loaning -- The Flowers of the Forest are a' wede away. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...HUNGERFIELD by ROBINSON JEFFERS THE MOURNER by LOUISE MOREY BOWMAN HECUBA MOURNS by MARILYN NELSON THERE IS NO GOD BUT by AGHA SHAHID ALI IF I COULD MOURN LIKE A MOURNING DOVE by FRANK BIDART FEAR NOT FOR ISMAEL by JEAN ELLIOT (1727-1805) |
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