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Home  »  The Oxford Book of English Verse  »  542. Proud Maisie

Arthur Quiller-Couch, ed. 1919. The Oxford Book of English Verse: 1250–1900.

Sir Walter Scott. 1771–1832

542. Proud Maisie

PROUD Maisie is in the wood, 
  Walking so early; 
Sweet Robin sits on the bush, 
  Singing so rarely. 
 
‘Tell me, thou bonny bird,         5
  When shall I marry me?’ 
—’When six braw gentlemen 
  Kirkward shall carry ye.’ 
 
‘Who makes the bridal bed, 
  Birdie, say truly?’  10
—’The grey-headed sexton 
  That delves the grave duly. 
 
‘The glow-worm o’er grave and stone 
  Shall light thee steady; 
The owl from the steeple sing  15
  Welcome, proud lady!’