by Keats · Cluster: Rose · Desire · Value and Scarcity
Abstract
A ballad-like song of a stranger who kisses a lady’s hand, lips and maid before riding off, closing with a rapt vow of adoration over a sleeping beloved. Its matter is desire, kissing, and amorous worship.
Connections
Topoi: Love as Religion Motifs: Rose Themes & Concepts: Desire (2), Romantic Love Forms & Genres: Comic Verse Song, Ballad Ballade
Testo integrale / Full text
I
The stranger lighted from his steed.
And ere he spake a word,
He seiz’d my lady’s lily hand,
And kiss’d it all unheard.
II
The stranger walk’d into the hall,
And ere he spake a word,
He kiss’d my lady’s cherry lips,
And kiss’d ‘em all unheard.
III
The stranger walk’d into the bower, -
But my lady first did go, -
Aye hand in hand into the bower,
Where my lord’s roses blow.
IV
My lady’s maid had a silken scarf,
And a golden ring had she,
And a kiss from the stranger, as off he went
Again on his fair palfrey.
Asleep! O sleep a little while, white pearl!
And let me kneel, and let me pray to thee,
And let me call Heaven’s blessing on thine eyes,
And let me breathe into the happy air,
That doth enfold and touch thee all about,
Vows of my slavery, my giving up,
My sudden adoration, my great love!