'If thou wilt hold my silver hair, <br />O Lady sweet and bright; <br />I'll bring thee, maiden darling, where <br />Thy lover is to-night. <br />Lay down thy robe of cloth of gold-- <br />Gold, weigheth heavily, <br />Thy necklace wound in jewell'd fold, <br />And hie thee forth with me.' <br /> <br />'O Thistle-down, dear Thistle-down, <br />I've laid my robe aside; <br />My necklace and my jewell'd crown, <br />And yet I cannot glide <br />Along the silver crests of night <br />With thee, light thing, with thee. <br />Rain would I try the airy flight, <br />What sayest thou to me?' <br /> <br />'If thou wilt hold my silver hair, <br />O maiden fair and proud; <br />We'll float upon the purple air <br />High as yon lilied cloud. <br />There is a jewel weighs thy heart; <br />If thou with me wouldst glide <br />That cold, cold jewel place apart-- <br />The jewel of thy pride!' <br /> <br />'O Thistle-down, dear Thistle-down <br />That jewel part I've set; <br />With golden robe and shining crown <br />And cannot follow yet! <br />Fain would I clasp thy silver tress <br />And float on high with thee; <br />Yet somewhat me to earth doth press-- <br />What sayest thou to me? <br /> <br />'If thou wilt hold my silver hair <br />O lady, sweet and chaste; <br />We'll dance upon the sparkling air <br />And to thy lover haste. <br />A lily lies upon thy breast <br />Snow-white as it can be-- <br />It holds thee strong--sweet, with the rest <br />Yield lilied chastity.' <br /> <br />'O Thistle-down, false Thistle-down <br />I've parted Pride and Gold; <br />Laid past my jewels and my crown-- <br />My golden robings' fold. <br />I will not lay my lily past-- <br />Love's light as vanity <br />When to the mocking wind is cast <br />The lily, Chastity.'<br /><br />Isabella Valancy Crawford<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/said-the-thistle-down/
