Amidst the grassy graves: Is the north wind drear, And all I see are the waves. The Northern Star Is set afar! Set in the Baltic Sea: And the waves have spread The sandy bed That holds my Love from me. Unknown THE FISHER'S WIDOW THE boats go out and the boats come in Under the wintry sky; And the rain and foam are white in the wind, And the white gulls cry. She sees the sea when the wind is wild Swept by a windy rain; And her heart's a-weary of sea and land As the long days wane. She sees the torn sails fly in the foam, Broad on the sky-line gray; And the boats go out and the boats come in, But there's one away. Arthur Symons [1865 CALLER HERRIN' Wha'll buy my caller herrin'? They're bonny fish and halesome farin'; Wha'll buy my caller herrin', New drawn frae the Forth? When ye were sleepin' on your pillows, Caller Herrin' Darkling as they faced the billows, Buy my caller herrin', New drawn frae the Forth! Wha'll buy my caller herrin'? 1623 They're no brought here without brave darin'; Hauled through wind and rain. Wha'll buy my caller herrin', New drawn frae the Forth? Wha'll buy my caller herrin'? Wha'll buy my caller herrin', When the creel o' herrin' passes, Ladies, clad in silks and laces, Cast their heads, and screw their faces. I Wha'll buy my caller herrin', Caller herrin's no got lightly:- "Wha'li buy my caller herrin', Neebor wives! now tent my tellin': Truth will stand, when a' thing's failin'! Wha'll buy my caller herrin', New drawn frae the Forth? Carolina Nairne [1766-1845] HANNAH BINDING SHOES POOR lone Hannah, Sitting at the window, binding shoes: Sitting, stitching, in a mournful muse. Hannah's at the window, binding shoes. Not a neighbor Passing, nod or answer will refuse "Is there from the fishers any news?" Hannah's at the window, binding shoes. Fair young Hannah, Ben, the sunburnt fisher, gaily wooes; For a willing heart and hand he sues. And the waves are laughing so! Hannah leaves her window and her shoes. May is passing; 'Mid the apple-boughs a pigeon cooes: For the mild south-wester mischief brews. Outward bound, a schooner sped; Hannah's at the window, binding shoes. 'Tis November: Now no tear her wasted cheek bedews, Not a sail returning will she lose, Have you, have you heard of Ben?" Hannah's at the window, binding shoes. Twenty winters Bleak and drear the ragged shore she views. Never one has brought her any news. Chase the white sails o'er the sea;- Hannah's at the window, binding shoes. 1625 Lucy Larcom [1824-1893] THE SAILOR A ROMAIC BALLAD THOU that hast a daughter Give her to a husband With snow upon his head; How luckless is the sailor No sweetheart standing by. And steer the ship to haven, As none beside thee can. Thou says't to me, "Stand, stand up"; Lift me a little from the deck, My hands and feet are cold. And let my head, I pray thee, With handkerchiefs be bound; Now bring the chart, the doleful chart; Cast anchor here; 'tis deep and safe The little anchor on the right, The great one on the left. And now to thee, O captain, For there will come the sailors, The yo-ho loud and clear; William Allingham [1824-1889] THE BURIAL OF THE DANE BLUE gulf all around us, Blue sky overhead- We must bury the dead! |