EMMY EMMY's exquisite youth and her virginal air, Emmy's laughter rings in my ears, as bright, There, in the midst of the villainous dancing-hall, While the music maddened the whirling skirts of the ball, There with the women, haggard, painted and old, And ever the witching smile, to her face beguiled, O my child, who wronged you first, and began Shall answer for yours in hell. Arthur Symons [1865 THE BALLAD OF CAMDEN TOWN I WALKED With Maisie long years back The streets of Camden Town, I splendid in my suit of black, Hers was a proud and noble face, Beneath unclouded skies. The Ballad of Camden Town 1059 A bed, a chest, a faded mat, And broken chairs a few, Were all we had to grace our flat In Hazel Avenue. But I could walk to Hampstead Heath, When I was ill and she was pale Perhaps she cast herself away Lest both of us should drown: Perhaps she feared to die, as they Who die in Camden Town. What came of her? The bitter nights And souls are lost among the lights What came of her? The river flows I dream she dwells in London still Once more together we will live, I have so little to forgive; So much, I can't forget. James Elroy Flecker (1884-1915] LOVE AND DEATH HELEN OF KIRCONNELL Cursed be the heart that thought the thought, O think na ye my heart was sair, When my Love dropped and spak nae mair! There did she swoon wi' meikle care, On fair Kirconnell lea. As I went down the water side, I lighted down my sword to draw, O Helen fair, beyond compare! O that I were where Helen lies! Willy Drowned in Yarrow 1061 O Helen fair! O Helen chaste! I wish my grave were growing green, On fair Kirconnell lea. I wish I were where Helen lies! For her sake that died for me. Unknown WILLY DROWNED IN YARROW "WILLY's rare, and Willy's fair, "Yestreen I made my bed fu' braid, "Oh came you by yon water-side? Or came you by yon meadow green? She sought him east, she sought him west, Syne in the cleaving of a craig, Unknown ANNAN WATER ANNAN Water's wading deep, And my Love Annie's wondrous bonny; And I am laith she should wet her feet, Because I love her best of ony." He's loupen on his bonny gray, He rade the right gate and the ready; For all the storm he wadna stay, For seeking of his bonny lady. And he has ridden o'er field and fell, Through moor, and moss, and many a mire; His spurs of steel were sair to bide, And from her four feet flew the fire. "My bonny gray, now play your part! If ye be the steed that wins my dearie, With corn and hay ye'll be fed for aye, And never spur shall make you wearie." The gray was a mare, and a right gude mare; "O boatman, boatman, put off your boat, Put off your boat for golden money!" But for all the gold in fair Scotland, He dared not take him through to Annie. "Oh, I was sworn so late yestreen, The side was stey, and the bottom deep, For she heard the water-kelpy roaring. |