Lida

Lida, lady of the land,
Called by men "the blue-eyed wonder,"
Hath a lily forehead fanned
By locks the sunlight glitters under.
She hath all that's scattered round,
Through a race of winning creatures,
All — except the beauty found
By Johnny Gordon in my features.
Lida, lady of the land,
Hath full many goodly houses;
Fields and parks, on every hand,
Where your foot the roebuck rouses;
She hath orchards, garden-plots,
Valleys deep and mountains swelling,
All — except yon nest of cots,
Johnny Gordon's humble dwelling.
Lida, lady of the land,
Hath treasures, more than she remembers,
Heaps of dusty gems that stand
Like living coals among the embers:
She hath gold whose touch would bring
A lordship to a lowly peasant;
All — except this little ring,
Johnny Gordon's humble present.
Lida, lady of the land,
Hath a crowd of gallant suitors;
Squires who fly at her command,
Knights her slightest motion tutors:
She hath barons kneeling mute,
To hear the fortune of their proffers;
All — except the honest suit
Johnny Gordon humbly offers.
Lida, lady of the land,
Keep your wondrous charms untroubled,
May your wide domain expand,
May your gems and gold be doubled!
Keep your lords on bended knee!
Take all earth, and leave us lonely,
All — except you take from me
Humble Johnny Gordon only!