Classic Poem

JOHN-A-DREAMS and Harum-Scarum
— Came a-riding into town:
At the Sign o' the Jug-and-Jorum
— There they met with Low-lie-down.

Brave in shoes of Romany leather,
— Bodice blue and gypsy gown,
And a cap of fur and feather,
— In the inn sat Low-lie-down.

Harum-Scarum kissed her lightly;
— Smiled into her eyes of brown:
Clasped her waist and held her tightly,
— Laughing, " Love me, Low-lie-down! "

Then with many an oath and swagger,
— As a man of great renown,
On the board he clapped his dagger,
— Called for sack and sat him down.

So a while they laughed together;
— Then he rose and with a frown
Sighed, " While still 'tis pleasant weather,
— I must leave thee, Low-lie-down. "

So away rode Harum-Scarum;
— With a song rode out of town;
At the Sign o' the Jug-and-Jorum
— Weeping tarried Low-lie-down.

Then this John-a-dreams, in tatters,
— In his pocket ne'er a crown,
Touched her, saying, " Wench, what matters!
— Dry your eyes and, come, sit down.

" Here's my hand: we'll roam together,
— Far away from thorp and town.
Here's my heart, — for any weather, —
— And my dreams, too, Low-lie-down.

" Some men call me dreamer, poet:
— Some men call me fool and clown —
What I am but you shall know it,
— Only you, sweet Low-lie-down. "

For a little while she pondered:
— Smiled: then said, " Let care go drown! "
Up and kissed him. . . . Forth they wandered,
— John-a-dreams and Low-lie-down.