A faithless shepherd courted me, <br />He stole away my liberty. <br />When my poor heart was strange to men, <br />He came and smiled and stole it then. <br /> <br />When my apron would hang low, <br />Me he sought through frost and snow. <br />When it puckered up with shame, <br />And I sought him, he never came. <br /> <br />When summer brought no fears to fright, <br />He came to guard me every night. <br />When winter nights did darkly prove, <br />None came to guard me or to love. <br /> <br />I wish, I wish, but all in vain, <br />I wish I was a maid again. <br />A maid again I cannot be, <br />O when will green grass cover me?<br /><br />John Clare<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/ballad-14/
