Berrying

I.

My love went berrying
Where brooks were merrying
And wild wings ferrying
    Heaven's amethyst;
The wildflowers blessed her,
My dearest Hester,
The winds caressed her,
    The sunbeams kissed.


II.

I followed, carrying
Her basket; varying
Fond hopes of marrying
    With hopes denied;
Both late and early
She deemed me surly,
And bowed her curly
    Fair head and sighed:


III.

"The skies look lowery;
It will he showery;
No longer flowery
    The way I find.
No use in going.
'T will soon be snowing
If you keep growing
    Much more unkind."


IV.

Then looked up tearfully.
And I, all fearfully,
Replied, "My dear, fully
    Will I explain:
I love you dearly,
But look not cheerly
Since all says clearly
    I love in vain."


V.

Then smiled she airily;
And answered merrily
With words that - verily
    Made me decide:
And drawing tow'rd her,
I there implored her -
I who adored her -
    To be my bride.


VI.

O sweet simplicity
Of young rusticity,
Without duplicity,
    Whom love made know,
That hearts in meter
Make earth completer;
And kisses, sweeter
    Than - berries grow.