Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


AN OLD SONG BY NEW SINGERS: 'MARY HAD A LITTLE LAMB': 2. BROWNING by A. C. WILKIE

First Line: YOU KNEW HER? -- MARY THE SMALL
Last Line: THAT LAMB WAS SURE TO SOON BE CAUGHT IN.
Subject(s): BROWNING, ROBERT (1812-1889); POETRY & POETS;

You knew her? -- Mary the small,
How of a summer, -- or, no, was it fall?
You'd never have thought it, never believed,
But the girl owned a lamb last fall.

Its wool was subtly, silky white,
Color of lucent obliteration of night,
Like the shimmering snow or -- our Clothild's arm!
You've seen her arm -- her right, I mean --
The other she scalded a-washing, I ween --
How white it is and soft and warm?

Ah, there was soul's heart-love, deep, true, and tender,
Wherever went Mary, the maiden so slender,
There followed, his all-absorbed passion, inciting,
That passionate lambkin -- her soul's heart delighting --
Ay, every place that Mary sought in,
That lamb was sure to soon be caught in.



Home: PoetryExplorer.net