Classic Poem

Of all the roads that bridges bear
O'er waters shining in the heat,
Or bowneck'd steeds in summer wear
To flying dust with brightshod feet,
The dearest winds through Ryall's glades,
Where, o'er the knaps in elmtree shades,
The airblown primrose blooms and fades,
And Ruth comes out a-riding.

And I would fain, with early feet,
Arise ere morning dew is dry,
And wend through dust of midday heat
To bluest hills of all the sky,
If there, at last, ere dusk of day,
The evening sunlight would but pay
The longsome labours of my way
With sight of Ruth a-riding.

A feather'd cap with bending brims
O'ershades her warmly-blooming face,
Her trimset waist and slender limbs
Or rest or bend with winsome grace;
And as her skirt o'erspreadeth wide
With flowing folds the horse's side,
He flings his head and snorts with pride
To carry Ruth a-riding.

While bright below her sable cap
Her sparkling eyes look down the lanes,
And, loosely bending o'er her lap,
Her slender hands hold up her reins,
The gateman fain would open wide
His gate, and smiling stand aside,
Forgoing all his toll with pride,
To look on Ruth a-riding.