Lady Anne Bothwell's Lament 1019 Ask blessing, babe, be not afraid, Then may'st thou joy and be right glad; A noble youth of blood and bone: Come, little boy, and rock asleep; Nicholas Breton [1545?-1626?] LADY ANNE BOTHWELL'S LAMENT When he began to court my love, He cares ne for my babe nor me— Lie still, my darling, sleep awhile, And when thou wak'st thou'll sweetly smile: But smile not as thy father did, To cozen maids: nay, God forbid! But yet I fear thou wilt go near I cannot choose but ever will But do not, do not, pretty mine, And never change her for a new: Bairn, by thy face I will beware; Farewell, farewell, the falsest youth A WOMAN'S LOVE Unknown A SENTINEL angel, sitting high in glory, "I loved, and, blind with passionate love, I fell. Love brought me down to death, and death to Hell; For God is just, and death for sin is well. "I do not rage against His high decree, "Great Spirit! Let me see my love again And comfort him one hour, and I were fain To pay a thousand years of fire and pain." Then said the pitying angel, "Nay, repent But still she wailed, "I pray thee, let me go! The brazen gates ground sullenly ajar, But soon adown the dying sunset sailing, She sobbed, "I found him by the summer sca She wept, "Now let my punishment begin! I have been fond and foolish. Let me in To expiate my sorrow and my sin." The angel answered, "Nay, sad soul, go higher! John Ilay [1838-1905] A TRAGEDY SHE was only a woman, famished for loving, And used to finger his fiddle-strings. Her heart's sweet gamut is cracking and breaking For a look, for a touch,-for such slight things; But he's such a very great musician Grimacing and fingering his fiddle-strings. Théophile Marzials [1850– "MOTHER, I CANNOT MIND MY WHEEL” MOTHER, I cannot mind my wheel; O, if you felt the pain I feel! No longer could I doubt him true- AIRLY BEACON AIRLY Beacon, Airly Beacon; O the pleasant sight to see Airly Beacon, Airly Beacon; O the happy hours we lay Airly Beacon, Airly Beacon; Charles Kingsley [1819-1875] From the Harbor Hill 1023 A SEA CHILD THE lover of child Marjory Had one white hour of life brim full; Now the old nurse, the rocking sea, Hath him to lull. The daughter of child Marjory Hath in her veins, to beat and run, The glad indomitable sea, The strong white sun. Bliss Carman [1861 FROM THE HARBOR HILL "Is it a sail?" she asked. "No," I said. "Only a white sea-gull with its pinions spread." "Is it a spar?" she asked. "Only the slender light-house tower against the sky." "Flutters a pennant there?" "No," I said. "Only a shred of cloud in the sunset red." "Surely a hull, a hull!" "Where?" I cried. "Only a rock half-bared by the ebbing tide." "Wait you a ship?" I asked. "Aye!" quoth she. "The Harbor Belle; her mate comes home to marry me. "Surely the good ship hath Met no harm?" Was it the west wind wailed or the babe on her arm? "The Harbor Belle !" she urged. Naught said I. For I knew o'er the grave o' the Harbor Belle the sea-gulls fly. Gustav Kobbé [1857 |