Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


A BLACKMOOR MAID WOOING A FAIR BOY by HENRY RAINOLDS

First Line: STAY, LOVELY BOY, WHY FLY'ST THOU ME
Last Line: AND THOU SHALT NEED NO OTHER SHADE THAN I.
Subject(s): BLACKS; COURTSHIP; LOVE - CULTURAL DIFFERENCES;

STAY, lovely boy, why fly'st thou me
That languish in these flames for thee?
I'm black, 'tis true: why so is Night,
And Love doth in dark shades delight.
The whole world, do but close thine eye,
Will seem to thee as black as I;
Or ope't, and see what a black shade
Is by thine own fair body made,
That follows thee where'er thou go;
(O who, allow'd, would not do so?)
Let me for ever dwell so nigh,
And thou shalt need no other shade than I.



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