Live long, ere from thy topmost head The thick-set hazel dies; Long, ere the hateful crow shall tread The corners of thine eyes; Live long, nor feel in head or chest Till mellow Death, like some late guest, But when he calls, and thou shalt cease And, laying down an unctuous lease Of life, shalt earn no more: No carved cross-bones, the types of Death, Shall show thee past to Heaven; But carved cross-pipes, and, underneath, A pint-pot, neatly graven. LADY CLARE. LORD RONALD Courted Lady Clare, "He does not love me for my birth, Nor for my lands so broad and fair; He loves me for my own true worth, And that is well," said Lady Clare. In there came old Alice the nurse, Said, "Who was this that went from thee?" "It was my cousin," said Lady Clare, "To-morrow he weds with me." "O God be thanked!" said Alice the nurse, "Are ye out of your mind, my nurse, my nurse?” Said Lady Clare, "that ye speak so wild?" "As God's above," said Alice the nurse, "I speak the truth: you are my child. "The old Earl's daughter died at my breast; "Falsely, falsely have ye done, O mother," she said, "if this be true, To keep the best man under the sun Nay now, my child," said Alice the nurse, And all you have will be Lord Ronald's, "If I'm a beggar born," she said, Nay now, my child," said Alice the nurse, "But keep the secret all ye can.” She said "Not so: but I will know If there be any faith in man.” "Nay now, what faith?" said Alice the nurse, "The man will cleave unto his right." "And he shall have it," the lady replied, "Yet give one kiss to your mother dear! "Yet here's a kiss for my mother dear, And lay your hand upon my head, She clad herself in a russet gown, A lily-white doe Lord Ronald had brought Dropt her head in the maiden's hand, Down stept Lord Ronald from his tower : “O "O Lady Clare, you shame your worth! Why come you drest like a village maid, That are the flower of the earth? "If I come drest like a village maid, Play me no tricks," said Lord Ronald, "For I am yours in word and deed. Play me no tricks,” said Lord Ronald, "Your riddle is hard to read." O and proudly stood she up! Her heart within her did not fail : She looked into Lord Ronald's eyes, And told him all her nurse's tale. |