THE QUEEN'S RIDE. The lily is all in white, like a saint, And the daisy's cheek is tipp'd with a blush, Jasmine is sweet, and has many loves, And as the Queen did ride, Sir Launcelot at her side Laughed and chatted, bending over, And as they rode along, The throstle gave them song, And the buds peeped through the grass 213 214 THE QUEEN'S RIDE. And on, through deathless time, These lovers in their prime, (Two fairy ghosts together!) Ride, with sea-green robe and feather, And so we two will ride, At your pleasure, side by side, But if you like not this And take my love amiss, Half your lover, all your friend,— So come which way you will, Vale, upland, plain, and hill Wait your coming. For one day Lady mine! Thomas Bailey Aldrich. LETTICE WHITE. 215 LETTICE WHITE. My neighbour White-we met to-day- As if he breathed at ease; My neighbour White lives down the glade, Of my old walnut trees. So many lads and lasses small, To feed them all, to clothe them all, Must surely tax his wit; I see his thatch when I look out, There white-haired urchins climb his eaves And there his oldest daughter stands She comforts all her mother's days, 216 LETTICE WHITE. 'T is hard to feel oneself a fool! With that same lass I went to school- And now I know they must be there, My mother cries, "For such a lad And always to be found; A finer scholar scarce can be, "My handsome boy must stoop his head "O mother! scholars sometimes fail- When by her ironing-board I sit, And bring me forth their store; LETTICE WHITE. But she abideth silent, fair, All shaded by her flaxen hair The blushes come and go; I look, and I no more can speak Sometimes the roses by the latch When from their drifts her board I clear, Oft have I wooed sweet Lettice White How gently rock yon poplars high Beside her ironing-board! F. Ingelow. 217 |