Page:Carroll - Rhyme and Reason.djvu/210

194 "For ten lang years, O weary hours!
 * I coorted thee by signs;

By sending game, by sending flowers,
 * By sending Valentines.

"For five lang years, and five lang years,
 * I have dwelt in the far countrie,

Till that thy mind should be inclined
 * Mair tenderly to me.

"Now thirty years are gane and past,
 * I am come frae a foreign land:

I am come to tell thee my love at last—
 * O Ladye, gie me thy hand!"

The ladye she turned not pale nor red,
 * But she smiled a pitiful smile:

"Sic' a coortin' as yours, my man," she said
 * "Takes a lang and a weary while!"

And out and laughed the popinjay,
 * A laugh of bitter scorn:

"A coortin' done in sic' a way,
 * It ought not to be borne!"