Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, ASOLANDO: MUCKLE-MOUTH MEG, by ROBERT BROWNING


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

ASOLANDO: MUCKLE-MOUTH MEG, by                 Poet's Biography
First Line: Frowned the laird on the lord: 'so, red-handed I catch thee?'
Last Line: "to muckle-mouth meg in good earnest!"
Subject(s): Capital Punishment; Marriage; Hanging; Executions; Death Penalty; Weddings; Husbands; Wives


FROWNED the Laird on the Lord: "So, redhanded I catch thee?
Death-doomed by our Law of the Border!
We've a gallows outside and a chiel to dispatch thee:
Who trespasses -- hangs: all's in order."

He met frown with smile, did the young English gallant:
Then the Laird's dame: "Nay, Husband, I beg!
He's comely: be merciful! Grace for the callant
-- If he marries our Muckle-mouth Meg!

"No mile-wide-mouthed monster of yours do I marry:
Grant rather the gallows!" laughed he.
"Foul fare kith and kin of you -- why do you tarry?"
"To tame your fierce temper!" quoth she.

"Shove him quick in the Hole, shut him fast for a week:
Cold, darkness, and hunger work wonders:
Who lion-like roars now, mouse-fashion will squeak,
And 'it rains' soon succeed to 'it thunders.'"
A week did he bide in the cold and the dark
-- Not hunger: for duly at morning
In flitted a lass, and a voice like a lark
Chirped, "Muckle-mouth Meg still ye're scorning?

"Go hand, but here's parritch to hearten ye first!"
"Did Meg's muckle-mouth boast within some
Such music as yours, mine should match it or burst:
No frog-jaws! So tell folk, my Winsome!"

Soon week came to end, and, from Hole's door set wide,
Out he marched, and there waited the lassie:
"You gallows, or Muckle-mouth Meg for a bride!
Consider! Sky's blue and turf's grassy:

"Life's sweet: shall I say ye wed Muckle-mouth Meg?"
"Not I," quoth the stout heart: "too eerie
The mouth that can swallow a bubblyjock's egg;
Shall I let it munch mine? Never, Dearie!

"Not Muckle-mouth Meg? Wow, the obstinate man!
Perhaps he would rather wed me!"
"Ay, would he -- with just for a dowry your can!"
"I'm Muckle-mouth Meg," chirruped she.

"Then so -- so -- so -- so --" as he kissed her apace --
"Will I widen thee out till thou turnest
From Margaret Minnikin - mou', by God's grace,
To Muckle-mouth Meg in good earnest!"





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