Elizabeth Barrett Browning — The Romance of the Swans Nest

I. Little Ellie sits alone        &nbsp'Mid the beeches of a meadow,        &nbsp       &nbspBy a stream-side on the grass, And the trees are showering down        &nbspDoubles of their leaves in shadow        &nbsp       &nbspOn her shining hair and face. II. She has thrown her bonnet by,        &nbspAnd her feet she has been dipping        &nbsp       &nbspIn the shallow water's flow: Now she holds them nakedly        &nbspIn her hands, all sleek and dripping,        &nbsp       &nbspWhile she rocketh to and fro. III. Little Ellie sits alone,        &nbspAnd the smile she softly uses        &nbsp       &nbspFills the silence like a speech While she thinks what shall be done,        &nbspAnd the sweetest pleasure chooses        &nbsp       &nbspFor her future within reach. IV. Little Ellie in her smile        &nbspChooses—"I will have a lover        &nbsp       &nbspRiding on a steed of steeds: He shall love me without guile,        &nbspAnd to him I will discover        &nbsp       &nbspThe swan's nest among the reeds. V. "And the steed shall be red-roan,        &nbspAnd the lover shall be noble,        &nbsp       &nbspWith an eye that takes the breath: And the lute he plays upon        &nbspShall strike ladies into trouble,        &nbsp       &nbspAs his sword strikes men to death. VI. "And the steed it shall be shod        &nbspAll in silver, housed in azure,        &nbsp       &nbspAnd the mane shall swim the wind; And the hoofs along the sod        &nbspShall flash onward and keep measure,        &nbsp       &nbspTill the shepherds look behind. VII. "But my lover will not prize        &nbspAll the glory that he rides in,        &nbsp       &nbspWhen he gazes in my face: He will say, 'O Love, thine eyes        &nbspBuild the shrine my soul abides in,        &nbsp       &nbspAnd I kneel here for thy grace!' VIII. "Then, ay, then he shall kneel low,        &nbspWith the red-roan steed anear him        &nbsp       &nbspWhich shall seem to understand, Till I answer, 'Rise and go!        &nbspFor the world must love and fear him        &nbsp       &nbspWhom I gift with heart and hand.' IX. "Then he will arise so pale,        &nbspI shall feel my own lips tremble        &nbsp       &nbspWith a yes I must not say, Nathless maiden-brave, 'Farewell,'        &nbspI will utter, and dissemble—        &nbsp       &nbsp'Light to-morrow with to-day!' X. "Then he'll ride among the hills        &nbspTo the wide world past the river,        &nbsp       &nbspThere to put away all wrong; To make straight distorted wills,        &nbspAnd to empty the broad quiver        &nbsp       &nbspWhich the wicked bear along. XI. "Three times shall a young foot-page        &nbspSwim the stream and climb the mountain        &nbsp       &nbspAnd kneel down beside my feet— 'Lo, my master sends this gage,        &nbspLady, for thy pity's counting!        &nbsp       &nbspWhat wilt thou exchange for it?' XII. "And the first time I will send        &nbspA white rosebud for a guerdon,        &nbsp       &nbspAnd the second time, a glove; But the third time—I may bend        &nbspFrom my pride, and answer—'Pardon        &nbsp       &nbspIf he comes to take my love.' XIII. "Then the young foot-page will run,        &nbspThen my lover will ride faster,        &nbsp       &nbspTill he kneeleth at my knee: 'I am a duke's eldest son,        &nbspThousand serfs do call me master,        &nbsp       &nbspBut, O Love, I love but thee!' XIV. "He will kiss me on the mouth        &nbspThen, and lead me as a lover        &nbsp       &nbspThrough the crowds that praise his deeds; And, when soul-tied by one troth,        &nbspUnto him I will discover        &nbsp       &nbspThat swan's nest among the reeds." XV. Little Ellie, with her smile        &nbspNot yet ended, rose up gaily,        &nbsp       &nbspTied the bonnet, donned the shoe, And went homeward, round a mile,        &nbspJust to see, as she did daily,        &nbsp       &nbspWhat more eggs were with the two. XVI. Pushing through the elm-tree copse,        &nbspWinding up the stream, light-hearted,        &nbsp       &nbspWhere the osier pathway leads, Past the boughs she stoops—and stops.        &nbspLo, the wild swan had deserted,        &nbsp       &nbspAnd a rat had gnawed the reeds! XVII. Ellie went home sad and slow.        &nbspIf she found the lover ever,        &nbsp       &nbspWith his red-roan steed of steeds, Sooth I know not; but I know        &nbspShe could never show him—never,        &nbsp       &nbspThat swan's nest among the reeds!