The Poems of Winthrop Mackworth Praed With a Memoir by the Rev. Derwent Coleridge. Fourth Edition. In Two Volumes |
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 | The Poems of Winthrop Mackworth Praed |  |
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XXIII. DONKEY
My First came forth in booted state
For far Valencia bound,
And smiled to feel my Second's weight
And hear its creaking sound:
And “Here's a gaoler, sweet,” quoth he,
“You cannot bribe or cozen:
To keep one ward in custody
Wise men will forge a dozen.”
For far Valencia bound,
And smiled to feel my Second's weight
And hear its creaking sound:
And “Here's a gaoler, sweet,” quoth he,
“You cannot bribe or cozen:
To keep one ward in custody
Wise men will forge a dozen.”
But day-break saw a Lady ride
My Whole across the plain,
With a handsome Cavalier beside
To hold her bridle-rein:
And “Blessing on the bonds,” quoth he,
“Which wrinkled Age imposes!
If Woman must your prisoner be
Your chain should be of roses.”
My Whole across the plain,
With a handsome Cavalier beside
To hold her bridle-rein:
And “Blessing on the bonds,” quoth he,
“Which wrinkled Age imposes!
If Woman must your prisoner be
Your chain should be of roses.”
| The Poems of Winthrop Mackworth Praed | |