Ralph Waldo Emerson, comp. (1803–1882). Parnassus: An Anthology of Poetry. 1880.
GoldilocksJean Ingelow (18201897)
G
Tying up of posies rare:
Hardly could a sunbeam pass
Through the cloud that was her hair.
Purple orchis lasteth long,
Primrose flowers are pale and clear;
O the maiden sang a song
It would do you good to hear!
“Goldilocks that I love well,
Happy creature fair and coy,
Think o’ me, sweet Amabel.”
Goldilocks she shook apart,
Looked with doubtful, doubtful eyes:
Like a blossom in her heart,
Opened out her first surprise.
Goldilocks, ah fall and flow,
On the blooming, childlike face,
Dimple, dimple, come and go.
Give her time: on grass and sky
Let her gaze if she be fain,
As they looked ere he drew nigh,
They will never look again.
While her goldilocks grew long,
Is it like a nestling flown,
Childhood over like a song?
Yes, the boy may clear his brow,
Though she thinks to say him nay,
When she sighs, “I cannot now.
Come again some other day.”