Beneath this thorn when I was young...

Beneath this thorn when I was young,

This thorn that blooms so sweet,

We loved to stretch our lazy limbs

In summer's noon-tide heat.

And hither too the old man came,

The maiden and her feer,

‘ Then tell me, Sexton, tell me why

The toad has harbour here.

‘ The Thorn is neither dry nor dead,

But still it blossoms sweet;

Then tell me why all round its roots

The dock and nettle meet.

‘ Why here the hemlock, & c.

‘ Why these three graves all side by side,

Beneath the flow'ry thorn,

Stretch out so green and dark a length,

By any foot unworn.’

There, there a ruthless mother lies

Beneath the flowery thorn;

And there a barren wife is laid,

And there a maid forlorn.

The barren wife and maid forlorn

Did love each other dear;

The ruthless mother wrought the woe,

And cost them many a tear.

Fair Ellen was of serious mind,

Her temper mild and even,

And Mary, graceful as the fir

That points the spire to heaven.

Young Edward he to Mary said,

‘ I would you were my bride,’

And she was scarlet as he spoke,

And turned her face to hide.

‘ You know my mother she is rich,

And you have little gear;

And go and if she say not Nay,

Then I will be your fere.’

Young Edward to the mother went.

To him the mother said:

‘ In truth you are a comely man;

You shall my daughter wed.’

[ In Mary's joy fair Eleanor

Did bear a sister's part;

For why, though not akin in blood,

They sisters were in heart. ]

Small need to tell to any man

That ever shed a tear

What passed within the lover's heart

The happy day so near.

The mother, more than mothers use,

Rejoiced when they were by;

And all the‘ course of wooing’ passed

Beneath the mother's eye.

And here within the flowering thorn

How deep they drank of joy:

The mother fed upon the sight,

Nor...