John Crowe Ransom

Here you will find the Poem Romance Of A Youngest Daughter of poet John Crowe Ransom

Romance Of A Youngest Daughter

Who will wed the Dowager?s youngest daughter, 
The Captain? filled with ale? 
He moored his expected boat to a stake in the water 
And stumbled on sea-legs into the Hall for mating, 
Only to be seduced by her lady-in-waiting, 
Round-bosomed, and not so pale. 


Or the thrifty burgher in boots and fancy vest 
With considered views of marriage? 
By the tidy scullery maid he was impressed 
Who kept that house from depreciation and dirt, 
But wife does double duty and takes no hurt, 
So he rode her home in his carriage. 


Never the spare young scholar antiquary 
Who was their next resort; 
They let him wait in the crypt of the Old Library 
And found him compromised with a Saxon book, 
Claiming his truelove Learning kept that nook 
And promised sweet disport. 


Desirée (of a mother?s christening) never shall wed 
Though fairest child of her womb; 
?We will have revenge,? her injured Ladyship said, 
?Henceforth the tightest nunnery be thy bed 
By the topmost stair! When the ill-bred lovers come 
We?ll say, She is not at home.?