A YOUTH went faring up and down, <br />Alack and well-a-day. <br />He fared him to the market town, <br />Alack and well-a-day. <br />And there he met a maiden fair, <br />With hazel eyes and auburn hair; <br />His heart went from him then and there, <br />Alack and well-a-day. <br />She posies sold right merrily, <br />Alack and well-a-day; <br />But not a flower was fair as she, <br />Alack and well-a-day. <br />He bought a rose and sighed a sigh, <br />'Ah, dearest maiden, would that I <br />Might dare the seller too to buy!' <br />Alack and well-a-day. <br />She tossed her head, the coy coquette, <br />Alack and well-a-day. <br />'I'm not, sir, in the market yet,' <br />Alack and well-a-day. <br />'Your love must cool upon a shelf; <br />Tho' much I sell for gold and pelf, <br />I'm yet too young to sell myself,' <br />Alack and well-a-day. <br />The youth was filled with sorrow sore, <br />Alack and well-a-day; <br />And looked he at the maid once more, <br />Alack and well-a-day. <br />Then loud he cried, 'Fair maiden, if <br />Too young to sell, now as I live, <br />You're not too young yourself to give,' <br />Alack and well-a-day. <br />The little maid cast down her eyes, <br />Alack and well-a-day, <br />And many a flush began to rise, <br />Alack and well-a-day. <br />'Why, since you are so bold,' she said, <br />'I doubt not you are highly bred, <br />So take me!' and the twain were wed, <br />Alack and well-a-day.<br /><br />Paul Laurence Dunbar<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-wooing-2/
