Poor and Content

"I'll dance a measure,"
Said a gladsome maiden gay.
"Little pleasure
Have I had this month of May.
But now my term is ended,
And glad am I.
Now shall my cheer be mended;
My heart is high.
I'd rather have a crown of straw and feel I'm free
Than wear a rose-wreath, if they set a watch o'er me!"

"Have compassion,"
Her companion cried, "on me,
That God did fashion
Me so rich! I would that He
Had made me poor, up yonder!
Oh, were I poor!
Then with you I should wander;
'Twere merry, sure!
I'd rather have a crown of straw and feel I'm free
Than wear a rose-wreath, if they set a watch o'er me!

Sore my distress is
Here, since my aunt keeps from me
My pretty dresses
Guarded under lock and key.
She says, if I grow tearful,
'Love's in my head!'—
'Love's the cause,' if I'm cheerful.—
Would I were dead!
I'd rather have a crown of straw and feel I'm free
Than wear a rose-wreath, if they set a watch o'er me!"

"If you sorrow,
What avails your beauty fair?
Come to-morrow
With me! Drive away your care!
I'll teach you—come, be merry!—
To reap the corn.
We'll stop, if we grow weary;
No need to mourn!
I'd rather have a crown of straw and feel I'm free
Than wear a rose-wreath, if they set a watch o'er me!"

"I know surely
How to pay her out, you'll see!
I'll peep demurely
At the youths who ogle me.
She never yet would let me
Smile to a knight;
A lowly swain I'll get me,
Her heart to spite!
I'd rather have a crown of straw and feel I'm free
Than wear a rose-wreath, if they set a watch o'er me!"