Damaetas is a boy as rue <br />As ever broke maid's solitude. <br />He watcht the little Ida going <br />Where the wood-raspberries were growing, <br />And, under a pretence of fear <br />Lest they might scratch her arms, drew near, <br />And, plucking up a stiff grey bent, <br />The fruit (scarce touching it,) he sent <br />Into both hands: the form they took <br />Of a boat's keel upon a brook; <br />So not a raspberry fell down <br />To splash her foot or stain her gown. <br />When it was over, for his pains <br />She let his lips do off the stains <br />That were upon two fingers; he <br />At first kist two, and then kist three, <br />And, to be certain every stain <br />Had vanisht, kist them o'er again. <br />At last the boy, quite shameless, said <br />'See! I have taken out the red! <br />Now where there's redder richer fruit <br />Pray, my sweet Ida, let me do't.' <br />'Audacious creature!' she cried out, <br />'What in the world are you about?' <br />He had not taken off the red <br />All over; on both cheeks 'twas spred; <br />And the two lips that should be white <br />With fear, if not with fear, with spite <br />At such ill usage, never show'd <br />More comely, or more deeply glow'd. <br />Damaetas fancied he could move <br />The girl to listen to his love: <br />Not he indeed. <br /> <br />Damaetas: For pity's sake! <br /> <br />Ida: Go; never more come nigh this brake. <br /> <br />Damaetas: Must I, why must I, press in vain? <br /> <br />Ida: Because I hate you. <br /> <br />Damaetas: Think again, <br />Think better of it, cruel maid! <br /> <br />Ida: Well then . . because I am afraid. <br /> <br />Damaetas: Look round us: nobody is near. <br /> <br />Ida: All the more reason for my fear. <br /> <br />Damaetas: Hatred is overcome by you, <br />And Fear can be no match for two.<br /><br />Walter Savage Landor<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/damaetas-and-ida/
