Samuel Taylor Coleridge — Water Ballad

'Come hither, gently rowing,        &nbspCome, bear me quickly o'er This stream so brightly flowing        &nbspTo yonder woodland shore. But vain were my endeavour        &nbspTo pay thee, courteous guide; Row on, row on, for ever        &nbspI'd have thee by my side. 'Good boatman, prithee haste thee,        &nbspI seek my father-land.'— 'Say, when I there have placed thee,        &nbspDare I demand thy hand?' 'A maiden's head can never        &nbspSo hard a point decide; Row on, row on, for ever        &nbspI'd have thee by my side.' The happy bridal over        &nbspThe wanderer ceased to roam, For, seated by her lover,        &nbspThe boat became her home. And still they sang together        &nbspAs steering o'er the tide: 'Row on through wind and weather        &nbspFor ever by my side.'