The Prince's Progress and Other Poems Author:Christina Rossetti Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: JESSIE CAMEEOK "jessie, Jessie Cameron, Hear me but this once," quoth he. " Good luck go with you, neighbour's son, But I'm no mate for you," quoth she.... more » Day was verging toward the night There beside the moaning sea, Dimness overtook the light There where the breakers be. " O Jessie, Jessie Cameron, I have loved you long and true."— " Good luck go with you, neighbour's son. But I'm no mate for you." She was a careless, fearless girl, And made her answer plain, Outspoken she to earl or churl, Kindhearted in the main, But somewhat heedless with her tongue And apt at causing pain ; A mirthful maiden she and young, Most fair for bliss or bane. " Oh, long ago I told you so, I tell you so to-day : Go you your way, and let me go Just my own free way." The sea swept in with moan and foam Quickening the stretch of sand; They stood almost in sight of home ; He strove to take her hand. " Oh, can't you take your answer then, And won't you iinderstand 1 For me you're not the man of men, I've other plans are planned. You're good for Madge, or good for Cis, Or good for Kate, may be : But what's to me the good of this While you're not good for me ? " They stood together on the beach, They two alone, And louder waxed his urgent speech, His patience almost gone : " Oh, say but one kind word to me, Jessie, Jessie Cameron."— " I'd be too proud to beg," quoth she, And pride was in her tone. And pride was in her lifted head, And in her angry eye, And in her foot, which might have fled, But would not fly. Some say that he had gipsy blood, That in his heart was guile : Yet he had gone through fire and flood Only to win her smile. Some say his grandam was a witch, A black witch from beyond the Nile, W...« less