by Robert Herrick
| Lacon. |
FOR a kiss or two, confess, What doth cause this pensiveness, Thou most lovely neat-herdess ? Why so lonely on the hill ? Why thy pipe by thee so still, That erewhile was heard so shrill ? Tell me, do thy kine now fail To full fill the milking-pail ? Say, what is't that thou dost ail ? | |
| Thyr. |
None of these ; but out, alas ! A mischance is come to pass, And I'll tell thee what it was : See, mine eyes are weeping-ripe. | |
| Lacon. |
Tell, and I'll lay down my pipe. | |
| Thyr. |
I have lost my lovely steer, That to me was far more dear Than these kine which I milk here : Broad of forehead, large of eye, Party-colour'd like a pie ; Smooth in each limb as a die ; Clear of hoof, and clear of horn : Sharply pointed as a thorn, With a neck by yoke unworn ; From the which hung down by strings, Balls of cowslips, daisy rings, Interplac'd with ribbonings : Faultless every way for shape ; Not a straw could him escape ; Ever gamesome as an ape, But yet harmless as a sheep. Pardon, Lacon, if I weep ; Tears will spring where woes are deep. Now, ah me ! ah me ! Last night Came a mad dog and did bite, Aye, and kill'd my dear delight. | |
| Lacon. |
Alack, for grief ! | |
| Thyr. |
But I'll be brief. Hence I must, for time doth call Me, and my sad playmates all, To his ev'ning funeral. Live long, Lacon, so adieu ! | |
| Lacon. |
Mournful maid, farewell to you ; Earth afford ye flowers to strew. |
Pie, i.e., a magpie.
Source:
Herrick, Robert. Works of Robert Herrick. vol II.
Alfred Pollard, ed.
London, Lawrence & Bullen, 1891. 130-131.
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Created by Anniina Jokinen on July 11, 1999.
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