Classic Poem

Thou, fair-haired young Mary, art the maiden I mean
to be, all my life, where I am,
since I won a right to thee, complete as I wanted,
from the clergy, by nuptial ties;
with stringent covenants and firmly fixed bonds,
with a knot that will last, and not yield;
'tis winning thy hand, with all friends' good-will,
hath meant lasting health to my frame.

When I was heart-sick and desiring a sweetheart,
not sure who would draw unto me,
then saw I the maid at an ale-house table,
and her manner was calm and refined;
I wooed her, and got the modest maid's promise
to be with me in accord;
joyful was I to get thee beside me,
with the baron's calving cows as thy dower.

On Monday morning, though long the journey,
when I set off, I would speed like the wind,
to visit my darling—we both had a longing
that is not apt later to wane;
I took her aside, on occasion, for converse—
the damsel, in truth, won my love;
and my ear could hear the sound the quick throbbing
of my heart made against my side.

Then Cupid did plant in my breast the armful
of his arrows, barb-pointed and slim,
which pierced to my veins and weighed on my body,
whereby, despite me, I fell and succumbed.
I explained to her who caused my sighing
'twas no leech that would check my disease;
what healed every wound was her own coming freely,
with her arts, to my arms, as I hoped.

I would give my kiss to the sweet young wife
who hath grown up so comely and kind,
stately, clean-limbed, dignified, handsome:
thy talk I shall freely enjoy.
I am amply indebted to thee, in a manner—
the degree to which thou hast made null,
to my errant thoughts, the vainglory of women:
'tis meet I should cleave unto one.

I went to the wood where grew trees and saplings
that were radiant to view all around;
my eyes' desire was a branch outstanding
in the dense growth of twigs overhead—
a bough from top to base in blossom,
which I tenderly bent down:
'twere hard for others ever to cut it,
as this shoot I was destined to pluck.

I set a net on limpid, fresh water,
and I strained to haul it on to the bank;
I brought at a sweep to land the sea-trout,
lustrous as swan on the sea;
that day, it left my spirit contented,
the share which I had at the time:
the match of my spouse was the star of the morning,
sleep-mate of mine, while I slumber.

'Twas ever thy wont to be wise and modest,
ladylike in act and gentility,
open-handed, compassionate, warm-hearted, blameless,
without blemish, or stint, or hardness;
benevolent, humane, generous, gentle
to feeble, poor, wretched folk;
and because of thy conduct, I have perfect assurance
thy reward is thy soul's nourishment.

I first came to know thee and make thy acquaintance,
in courtship fond and sincere;
when I would draw nigh thee, thy breath was more fragrant
than honey-sweet apples being pulled;
there was no secret I could retail,
that was meet, but she wheedled from me;
were she to desert and reject me completely,
my lot would be shroud and tomb.

Thy caressing is warm and sweet thy cooing,
thy nature is winsome always;
thou art frank-spoken, laughing, lovely and cordial,
free from cause that would merit thee hate.
She did plant a death sting in my breast for a season,
that left me full of sadness and gloom;
when she grasped how it was, and I had won the treasure,
she soon thrust that peril from me.

It hath raised me in status since this time last year,
the stock and support I acquired—
a sheaf of the purest growth of wheat,
the seed of acclaimed virtue;
'tis this hath made me so elated about thee,
thy mind was steadfast and staunch;
thy beauty would satisfy any man's longing,
in appearance, expression, in figure and hue.

Thy fair hair in tresses hath grown so splendid,
its tip full of spirals and curls;
thy pure, gentle face, shy and modest,
thy slender twin eyebrows unfrowning;
blue, full eye, with soft lashes, bewitching;
no lack of blood flow in thy cheek;
white, ivory teeth, close-set and firm,
meek mouth, that spake only chaste words.

Thou wouldst travel the moorland of the glen shieling,
in a place where the cattle would thrive,
to milk them round the fold, and be close to the pasture,
while young calves would frisk and leap;
not less skilled is thy hand when thou sittest by candle,
or in a brightly sun-lit room,
sewing and hemming bands and pinafores,
when art is applied to embroidery.

Like quartz is thy skin, pure white, wholesome,
body soft, like the moor cotton grass;
thy neck so smooth, thy breasts steep-pointed,
full, gleaming side by side;
velvety arms, white hand of the maiden,
slender fingers, and shallow, fine palm;
trim, firm calf; and, compact in neat shoe,
a foot springy and graceful of step.

I found the dear wife beside Mam Charraigh,
and her love bewitched me from sense;
her heart was mine freely when I managed to woo it—
not vain was my hope of accord.
There's many a strain of noble, proud, stirring blood
up to thy forehead doth mount,
setting thee on a par with the king and Argyll,
for thou art of the seed of those who owned Sleat.

If only I got thee now settled securely
in a place of concealment from death;
yet, if it came nigh thee, leaving me desolate,
no other wife would I wish to succeed thee;
I never will proffer thee fireside bickering,
lest a sigh in thy bosom should heave,
but choicest fond talk, affection, caresses,
the most tender my lips can command.

I would lead and plough and till for thee,
in the season when geldings are yoked;
and on the sea-beach, equal to others,
take measures for luring the fish;
for thee I would slay geese, seals and swan,
and the birds on the topmost twigs;
nor, all thy life long, wilt thou lack means for bread,
while I dwell in a deer country.