Prithe Sweet Maid Say Yea For M Lady Ernestine Poem by ivor or ivor.e hogg

Prithee sweet maid; say yes

I bespeak thee with courtesy
Although as yet thou knowest not.
My background and my family.

Thy beauty hath ensorcelled me.
Sometimes strict rules must be forgot
I mean thee no discourtesy.

Thou art the maid I have long sought.
I pray thou wilt consider me.
Well suited to be thy consort.

If thou lookest on me kindly
I will seek out thy sire and plead
his permission to pay thee court.

I am of noble blood like thee
and not unhandsome I believe.
A bachelor completely free.

This future I can offer thee.
Mistress of thine own estate.
Now with bated breath I wait.

Expectantly for thy reply
Should it be yea I will rejoice
Should it be nay I can’t deny.

I have no choice but to accept
Thou dost not look on me kindly
I’m not entitled to expect.

That thou art free to answer me
Here and now immediately
T’would be most ungentlemanly

To press my suit so forcibly.
Consult thee with thy closest kin
to see if they look favourably

on me and on my ancestry.
I will withdraw and leave you to
forgive my lack of courtesy..

The beauty so ensorcelled me
I hardly know that which I do.
I hope that thou forgivest me.

I sinned against thy modesty.
But offer in mine own defence.
Enraptured by thy purity.

My heart overruled my head
And bid me I must speak with thee.
lest some other gain thee instead..

I did not mean to cause offence
Although I know I broke the rules
I bow my head in penitence.

Thou hast the right to bid me go
and nevermore to trouble thee.
By thy shy smile I think I know.

Thou dost not find me to be rude
and will forgive my frowardness.
For which I owe thee gratitude.

I must go now, wait patiently.
Thou wilt be guided by thy kin
Until thou chooseth to answer me.

30/06/2009
Http: // blog.myspace.com.poeticpiers