Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, SWEET WILLIAM'S GHOST (1), by ANONYMOUS


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

SWEET WILLIAM'S GHOST (1), by                    
First Line: There came a ghost to margret's door
Last Line: That you were gane awa'
Subject(s): Ghosts;supernatural


There came a ghost to Marg'ret's door,
With many a grievous groan,
And aye he tirled at the pin,
But answer made she none.
"Is that my father Philip,
Or is't my brother John?
Or is't my true-love Willie,
From Scotland new come home?"
"'Tis not thy father Philip,
Nor yet thy brother John
But 'tis thy true-love Willie,
From Scotland new come home.
"O sweet Marg'ret, O dear Marg'ret,
I pray thee speak to me:
Give me my faith and troth, Marg'ret.
As I gave it to thee."
"Thy faith and troth thou'lt never get,
Of me shalt never win,
Till that thou come within my bower,
And kiss me cheek and chin."
"If I should come within thy bower,
I am no earthly man:
And should I kiss thy rosy lips
Thy days would not be lang.
"O sweet Marg'ret, O dear Marg'ret,
I pray thee speak to me:
Give me my faith and troth, Marg'ret,
As I gave it to thee."
"Thy faith and troth thou'lt never get,
Of me shalt never win,
Till you take me to yon kirk-yard
And wed me with a ring."
"My bones are buried in yon kirk-yard
Afar beyond the sea,
And it is but my spirit, Marg'ret,
That's now speaking to thee."
She stretched out her lily-white hand,
And for to do her best:
"Ha'e there your faith and troth, Willie,
God send your soul good rest."
Now she has kilted her robe o' green
A piece below her knee,
And a' the live-lang winter night
The dead corp followed she.
"Is there any room at your head, Willie,
Or any room at your feet?
Or any room at your side, Willie,
Wherein that I may creep?"
"There's nae room at my head, Marg'ret,
There's nae room at my feet;
There's nae room at my side, Marg'ret,
My coffin's made so meet."
Then up and crew the red, red cock,
And up and crew the gray;
" 'Tis time, 'tis time, my dear Marg'ret,
That you were gane awa'."







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