Flower Pieces and other poems :: :: University of Virginia Library

It is a careless pretty may, down by yon river-side;
Her face, the whole world's pleasure, she gladly hath espied;
And tossing back her golden hair, her singing echoes wide;
When gaily to the grassy shore a youthful knight doth ride.

II

And vaulting from his courser, that stoops the head to drink,
And greeting well this Maiden fair, by running water's brink,
He throws about her slender neck a chain of costly link:
Too courteous he for glamourie, as any may might think.

III

All through the flowery meadows, in the summer evening warm,
The rippling river murmurs low, the dancing midges swarm;
But far away the pretty may, nor makes the least alarm,
Sits firm on lofty saddle-bow, within the young knight's arm.

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IV

Now months are come, and months are gone, with sunshine, breeze, and rain;
The song on grassy river-shore you shall not hear again;
The proud knight spurs at tournament, in Germany or Spain,
Or sues in silken bow'r to melt some lady's high disdain.

V

And thus in idle hour he dreams—‘I've wander'd east and west;
I've whispered love in many an ear, in earnest or in jest;
That summer day—that pretty may—perhaps she loved me best?
I recollect her face, methinks, more often than the rest.’