Love

Derbyshire Song

by John Drinkwater 1882–1937

From Poems 1908-1919

Love

Come loving me to Darley Dale
In spring time or sickle time,
And we will make as proud a tale
As lovers in the antique prime
Of Harry or Elizabeth.

With kirtle green and nodding flowers
To deck my hair and little waist,
I ’ll be worth a lover’s hours....
Come, fellow, thrive, there is no haste
But soon is worn away in death.

Soon shall the blood be tame, and soon
Our bodies lie in Darley Dale,
Unreckoning of jolly June,
With tongues past telling any tale;
My man, come loving me to-day.

I have a wrist is smooth and brown,
I have a shoulder smooth and white,
I have my grace in any gown
By sun or moon or candle-light....
Come Darley way, come Darley way.

MLA

Drinkwater, John. “Derbyshire Song.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/drinkwater/58/.

Chicago

Drinkwater, John. “Derbyshire Song.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/drinkwater/58/.

Read this poem with the Codex →

More by John Drinkwater