Contents -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900.

By NoraPerry

789 Cressid

HAS any one seen my Fair,

Has any one seen my Dear?

Could any one tell me where

And whither she went from here?

The road is winding and long,

With many a turn and twist,

And one could easy go wrong,

Or ever one thought or list.

How should one know my Fair,

And how should one know my Dear?

By the dazzle of sunlight hair

That smites like a golden spear.

By the eyes that say “Beware,”

By the smile that beckons you near,—

This is to know my Fair,

This is to know my Dear.

Rough and bitter as gall

The voice that suddenly comes

Over the windy wall

Where the fishermen have their homes:—

“Ay, ay, we know full well

The way your fair one went:

She led by the ways of Hell,

And into its torments sent

“The boldest and bravest here,

Who knew nor guilt nor guile,

Who knew not shadow of fear

Till he followed that beckoning smile.

“Now would you find your Fair,

Now would you find your Dear?

Go, turn and follow her where

And whither she went from here,

“Along by the winding path

That leads by the old sea-wall:

The wind blows wild with wrath,

And one could easily fall

“From over the rampart there,

If one should lean too near,

To look for the sunlight hair

That smites like a golden spear!”