Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, TO MY PROMISED WIFE, by JOHN WALSH (1835-1881)


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

TO MY PROMISED WIFE, by                    
First Line: Dear maiden, when the sun is down
Last Line: Astor machree!
Subject(s): Courtship


DEAR maiden, when the sun is down,
And darkness creeps above the town,
The woodlands' green is changed to brown,
And the mild light
Melting beneath the tall hills' frown
Steals into night,

I don an honest coat of grey,
And, setting stupid care at bay,
Across the fields of scented hay
I stroll along,
Humming some quaint old Irish lay
Or simple song.

And when, dear maid, I come to you,
A laughing eye of brightest blue,
And flushing cheek of crimson hue,
Tell whom I greet,
And bounds a little heart as true
As ever beat.

The green grass on the river-side,
The full moon dancing on the tide,
The half-blown rose that tries to hide
Her blush in dew,
Are fair, but none, my promised bride,
As fair as you.

And though, dear love, our gathered store
Of gold is small, the brighter ore
Of love's deep mine we'll seek the more,
And truth shall be
The guard beside our cottage-door,
Astor machree!





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