Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE BRIDAL GIFT, by JOSEPH SKIPSEY


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE BRIDAL GIFT, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Last night at the fair I met light-footed polly
Last Line: As rosy the posy — la, no!
Subject(s): Brides; Gifts & Giving; Women


Last night at the Fair I met light-footed Polly
And Nanny from Earsdon and bothersome Nell
And yellow-hair'd Bessy and hazel-eyed Dolly;
But Rosy for sweetness did bear off the bell.

Chorus — Not Polly, nor Dolly, nor coy little Bell;
Not Nanny nor Fanny, nor sly little Nell;
Not Bessy, nor Jessy, is loved half so well
As Rosy the posy — la, no!

A bridal gift to her, a rich snowy feather,
To put in her bonnet; a locket I bought;
A hand-bag beside of the best foreign leather;
A pair of fine gloves and with figures enwrought.

Chorus — Not Polly, nor Dolly, etc.

A silken scarf gave I with silver lace laced, and
A rarely cut comb for her tresses so dear;
A rich broider'd girdle to girdle her waist, and
A Guinea gold droplet to hang at each ear.

Chorus — Not Polly, nor Dolly, etc.

A bonny bit brooch did I buy for her bosom;
A mantle of scarlet; a bonny white gown;
The garland I'd promised of sweet orange blossom,
The ring that shall make her forever my own.

Chorus — Not Polly, nor Dolly, etc.

Some gifts to my honey I bought, and had money
Been mine I'd have link'd to these castles and lands,
And Nan, Nell, and Polly, and Fan, Bell, and Dolly,
Had danced in her train and obeyed her commands

Chorus — Not Polly, nor Dolly, nor coy little Bell;
Not Nanny nor Fanny, nor sly little Nell;
Not Bessy, nor Jessy, is loved half so well
As Rosy the posy — la, no!





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