Child Lovers

Six summers old was she, and when she came

Her head was in an everlasting flame;

The golden fire it licked her neck and face,

But left no mark of soot in any place.

When this young thing had seen her lover boy,

She threw her arms around his neck for joy;

Then, paired like hazel nuts, those two were seen

To make their way towards the meadows green.

Now, to a field they came at last, which was

So full of buttercups they hid the grass;

‘Twas fit for kings to meet, and councils hold-

you never saw so fine a cloth of gold.

Then in a while they to green park came,

A captain owned it, and they knew his name;

And what do you think those happy children saw?

The big, black horse that was once in a war.

Now soon she tied her lover with some string,

And laughed, and danced around him in a ring;

He, like a flower that gossamer has tied,

Stood standing quiet there, and full of pride.

Lord, how she laughed! Her golden ringlets shook

As fast as lambs’ tails’ when those youngsters suck;

Sweeter than that enchantress laughed, when she

Shut Merlin fast forever in a tree.

As they went home, that little boy began:

“Love me and, when I’m a big sailor-man,

I’ll bring you home more coral, silk and gold,

Than twenty-five four-funnelled ships could hold.

“And fifty coffins carried to their grave,

Will not have half the lilies you shall have:

Now say at once that you will be my love-

And have a pearl ten stallions could not move”.