She let her golden ball fall down the well <br />And begged a cold frog to retrieve it; <br />For which she kissed his ugly, gaping mouth - <br />Indeed, he could scarce believe it. <br /> <br />And seeing him transformed to his princely shape, <br />Who had been by hags enchanted, <br />She knew she could never love another man <br />Nor by any fate be daunted. <br /> <br />But what would her royal father and mother say? <br />They had promised her in marriage <br />To a cousin whose wide kingdom marched with theirs, <br />Who rode in a jeweled carriage. <br /> <br />'Our plight, dear heart, would appear past human hope <br />To all except you and me: to all <br />Who have never swum as a frog in a dark well <br />Or have lost a golden ball.' <br /> <br />'What then shall we do now?' she asked her lover. <br />He kissed her again, and said: <br />'Is magic of love less powerful at your Court <br />Than at this green well-head?'<br /><br />Robert Graves<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-frog-and-the-golden-ball/
