126
Lady Clare.
I'll keep, for a love-link of days when I blessed
The breeze that your tresses had chased as it fanned,
The hawk on your glove, or the steed you caressed,
Or the greyhound that fawned at the touch of your hand—
I'll keep for a love-link one lock of your hair,
And I'll drink a blithe bridal to you, Lady Clare!
The breeze that your tresses had chased as it fanned,
The hawk on your glove, or the steed you caressed,
Or the greyhound that fawned at the touch of your hand—
I'll keep for a love-link one lock of your hair,
And I'll drink a blithe bridal to you, Lady Clare!
I'll mind me no more how we wandered till night
Where the rowan tree rocks in the wild mountain air;
When your words fell as soft, and your foot fell as light
As a leaf that is loosed from the bough, Lady Clare!
And you smiled, and you wept, while we lingered alone,
As a flower keeps waving from shadow to sun.
Oh! dear were the love-words you whispered the while,
And your weeping, if sad, and your smiling, if gay!
Oh! false were your love-words, and false was your smile,
And false are the vows you must utter to-day!
As a dame casts her hawk, I will rid me of care,
While I drink a blithe bridal to you, Lady Clare!
Where the rowan tree rocks in the wild mountain air;
When your words fell as soft, and your foot fell as light
As a leaf that is loosed from the bough, Lady Clare!
And you smiled, and you wept, while we lingered alone,
As a flower keeps waving from shadow to sun.
Oh! dear were the love-words you whispered the while,
And your weeping, if sad, and your smiling, if gay!
Oh! false were your love-words, and false was your smile,
And false are the vows you must utter to-day!
As a dame casts her hawk, I will rid me of care,
While I drink a blithe bridal to you, Lady Clare!
