Classic and Contemporary Poetry
A 'MERCENARY' MARRIAGE, by DINAH MARIA MULOCK CRAIK Poet's Biography First Line: She moves as light across the grass Last Line: My dearest maid of moreton hall. Alternate Author Name(s): Mulock, Dinah Maria Subject(s): Marriage; Weddings; Husbands; Wives | ||||||||
SHE moves as light across the grass As moves my shadow large and tall; And like my shadow, close yet free, The thought of her aye follows me, My little maid of Moreton Hall. No matter how or where we loved, Or when we'll wed, or what befall; I only feel she's mine at last, I only know I'll hold her fast, Though to dust crumbles Moreton Hall. Her pedigree -- good sooth, 't is long! Her grim sires stare from every wall; And centuries of ancestral grace Revive in her sweet girlish face, As meek she glides through Moreton Hall. Whilst I have -- nothing; save, perhaps, Some worthless heaps of idle gold, And a true heart -- the which her eye Through glittering dross spied, womanly, Therefore they say her heart was sold! I laugh -- she laughs -- the hills and vales Laugh as we ride 'neath chestnuts tall, Or start the deer that silent grave, And look up, large-eyed, with soft gaze, At the fair maid of Moreton Hall; -- We let the neighbors talk their fill, For life is sweet, and love is strong, And two, close knit in marriage ties, The whole world's shams may well despise, -- Its folly, madness, shame, and wrong. We are not proud, with a fool's pride, Nor cowards -- to be held in thrall By pelf or lineage, rank or lands: -- One honest heart, two honest hands, Are worth far more than Moreton Hall. Therefore, we laugh to scorn -- we two -- The bars that weaker souls appal: I take her hand, and hold it fast -- Knowing she'll love me to the last -- My dearest maid of Moreton Hall. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A BLESSING FOR A WEDDING by JANE HIRSHFIELD A SUITE FOR MARRIAGE by DAVID IGNATOW ADVICE TO HER SON ON MARRIAGE by MARY BARBER THE RABBI'S SON-IN-LAW by SABINE BARING-GOULD KISSING AGAIN by DORIANNE LAUX A TIME PAST by DENISE LEVERTOV BY THE ALMA RIVER by DINAH MARIA MULOCK CRAIK DOUGLAS, DOUGLAS, TENDER AND TRUE by DINAH MARIA MULOCK CRAIK |
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