Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, A GALLOWAY SONG, by JOHN KEATS


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

A GALLOWAY SONG, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Ah! Ken ye what I met the day
Last Line: Sad tears am shedding.


(FROM A LETTER TO TOM KEATS)

AH! ken ye what I met the day
Out oure the Mountains
A coming down by craggi[e]s grey
An mossie fountains--
A[h] goud hair'd Marie yeve I pray
Ane minute's guessing--
For that I met upon the way
Is past expressing.
As I stood where a rocky brig
A torrent crosses
I spied upon a misty rig
A troup o' Horses--
And as they trotted down the glen
I sped to meet them
To see if I might know the Men
To stop and greet them.
First Willie on his sleek mare came
At canting gallop
His long hair rustled like a flame
On board a shallop.
Then came his brother Rab and then
Young Peggy's Mither
And Peggy too--adown the glen
They went togither--
I saw her wrappit in her hood
Fra wind and raining--
Her cheek was flush wi' timid blood
Twixt growth and waning--
She turn'd her dazed head full oft
For there her Brithers
Came riding with her Bridegroom soft
And mony ithers.

Young Tam came up an' eyed me quick
With reddened cheek--
Braw Tam was daffed like a chick--
He coud na speak--
Ah Marie they are all gone hame
Through blustering weather
An' every heart is full on flame
An' light as feather.
Ah! Marie they are all gone hame
Fra happy wedding,
Whilst I--Ah is it not a shame?
Sad tears am shedding.





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