Volume Ii Part 60 (1/2)

Thus art with arms contending was victor of the day, Which by a gift of learning did bear the maid away; Then lullaby, the learned man hath got the lady gays For now my song is ended.

Unknown

”I ASKED MY FAIR, ONE HAPPY DAY”

After Lessing

I asked my fair, one happy day, What I should call her in my lay; By what sweet name from Rome or Greece; Lalage, Neaera, Chloris, Sappho, Lesbia, or Doris, Arethusa or Lucrece.

”Ah!” replied my gentle fair, ”Beloved, what are names but air?

Choose thou whatever suits the line; Call me Sappho, call me Chloris, Call me Lalage or Doris, Only--only call me thine.”

Samuel Taylor Coleridge [1772-1834]

THE EXCHANGE

We pledged our hearts, my love and I,-- I in my arms the maiden clasping: I could not tell the reason why, But oh! I trembled like an aspen.

Her father's love she bade me gain; I went, and shook like any reed!

I strove to act the man--in vain!

We had exchanged our hearts indeed.

Samuel Taylor Coleridge [1772-1834]

”COMIN' THROUGH THE RYE”

Comin' through the rye, poor body, Comin' through the rye, She draiglet a' her petticoatie, Comin' through the rye.

Oh Jenny's a' wat poor body, Jenny's seldom dry; She draiglet a' her petticoatie, Comin' through the rye.

Gin a body meet a body, Comin' through the rye, Gin a body kiss a body, Need a body cry?

Gin a body meet a body Comin' through the glen, Gin a body kiss a body, Need the warld ken?

Robert Burns [1759-1796]

”GREEN GROW THE RASHES, O!”

There's naught but care on every han', In every hour that pa.s.ses, O!

What signifies the life o' man, An' 'twere na for the la.s.ses, O?

Green grow the rashes, O!