Classic Poem

A child through sunny meadows strolled,
And plucked the blossoms there;
A lady from the forest came, —
A lady wondrous fair.

She wove a garland for the child,
And twined it on her brow;
" O wear it ever, it will bloom.
Although it blooms not now. "

Years fled, and when the maiden walked
Sadly, the moon beneath,
Weeping her earliest tears, there came
A blossom on the wreath.

And when within her lover's arms
A happy bride she stood,
How sweet and precious was the flower
That burst the opening bud!

Soon with a mother's fearful joy,
She clasped a gentle child,
And through the garland's leafy sheen
Much golden fruit there smiled.

Alas! her love went sadly down,
Lost in the cold, dark grave;
Now wild in her dishevelled hair
The leaves of autumn wave.

She died, — yet still, on her pale brow,
The faithful garland wore,
When, wonderful to see, behold,
Both fruit and flowers it bore!

Yet though I've no fortune to offer,
I've something to put on a par;
Come then, and accept of my proffer,
'Tis the kind honest heart of a tar.

II.

Ne'er let such a trifle as this is,
Girls, be to my pleasure a bar,
You'll be rich, though 'tis only in kisses,
With the kind honest heart of a tar.

III.

Besides, I am none of your ninnies;
The next time I come from afar
I'll give you your lap full of guineas,
With the kind, honest heart of a tar.

IV.

Your lords, with such fine baby faces,
That strut in a garter and star,
Have they, under their tambour and laces,
The kind, honest heart of a tar?

V.

I've this here to say, now, and mind it,
If love, that no hazard can mar,
You are seeking, you'll certainly find it
In the kind honest heart of a tar.