LONDON CHURCHYARD
Reading edition
As I walked through London To ease my care, I snuffed amid the houses A greener air; And behind iron railings I saw branches wave, Tossing their wild arms Over, O! many a grave. Such a sight as this Pleased me very well. I peered through the railings That had a rusty smell— All of a sudden I heard a cry; And saw a dark something Crouched a new stone near-by. It seemed lorn and witless As sea-weed on a beach; But it lamented With a woman’s speech. ‘Woe’s me, my lover! Cold-hearted you are grown. The breast where I laid my head Lies beneath a stone. ‘I thought I held you fast My kind arms between, But now you are gone from me As if you’d never been. ‘Falsely have you dealt with me, Falsely have you beguiled. Dead and buried with you Lies my child.’ Piteously, piteously, Thus did she rave, And wrung her hands, And scratched on the grave.