THE STRANGER-MAN

“Now what is that, my daughter dear, upon thy cheek so fair?”

“‘ Tis but a kiss, my mother dear — kind fortune sent it there.

It was a courteous stranger-man that gave it unto me,

And it is passing red because it was the last of three.”

“A kiss indeed! my daughter dear; I marvel in surprise!

Such conduct with a stranger-man I fear me was not wise.”

“Methought the same, my mother dear, and so at three forbore,

Although the courteous stranger-man vowed he had many more.”

“Now prithee, daughter, quickly go, and bring the stranger here,

And bid him hie and bid him fly to me, my daughter dear;

For times be very, very hard, and blessings eke so rare,

I fain would meet a stranger-man that hath a kiss to spare.”