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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE FAUSE LADYE by WILLIAM MOTHERWELL

Poet Analysis

First Line: THE WATER WEETS MY TOE,' SHE SAID
Last Line: "MY SPIRIT WEDS WI' THEE!"

"THE water weets my toe," she said,
"The water weets my knee;
Haud up, Sir Knicht, my horse's head,
If you a true luve be!"

"I luved ye weel, and luved ye lang,
Yet grace I failed to win;
Nae trust put I in ladye's troth
Till water weets her chin!'

"Then water weets my waist, proud lord,
The water weets my chin;
My achin' head spins round about,
The burn maks sik a din --
Now, help thou me, thou fearsome Knicht,
If grace ye hope to win!"

"I mercy hope to win, high dame,
Yet hand I've nane to gie --
The trinklin' o' a gallant's blude
Sae sair hath blindit me!"

"Oh! help! -- Oh! help! -- If man ye be
Have on a woman ruth --
The waters gather round my head
And gurgle in my mouth!"

"Turn round and round, fell Margaret,
Turn round and look on me --
The pity that ye schawed yestreen
I'll fairly schaw to thee!

"Thy girdle-knife was keen and bricht --
The ribbons wondrous fine --
'Tween every knot o' them ye knit
Of kisses I had nine!

"Fond Margaret! Fause Margaret!
You kissed me cheek and chin --
Yet, when I slept, that girdle-knife
You sheathed my heart's blude in!

"Fause Margaret! Lewde Margaret!
The nicht ye bide wi' me --
The body, under trust, you slew,
My spirit weds wi' thee!"



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