BEAUTY SAT BATHING BY A SPRING - Amy Levy Poems

 
 

Poems » amy levy » beauty sat bathing by a spring

BEAUTY SAT BATHING BY A SPRING

Beauty sat bathing by a spring,
    Where fairest shades did hide her;
The winds blew calm, the birds did sing,
    The cool streams ran beside her.
My wanton thoughts enticed mine eye
    To see what was forbidden:
But better memory said, fie!
    So, vain desire was chidden.
    Hey nonny nonny O!
    Hey nonny nonny!

Into a slumber then I fell,
    When fond imagination
Seemed to see, but could not tell,
    Her feature or her fashion.
But ev'n as babes in dreams do smile,
    And sometimes fall a-weeping,
So I awaked, as wise this while
    As when I fell a-sleeping:-
    Hey nonny nonny O!
    Hey nonny nonny!