Berrying

I.     My love went berrying     Where brooks were merrying     And wild wings ferrying         Heaven's amethyst;     The wildflowers blessed her,     My dearest Hester,     The winds caressed her,         The sunbeams kissed.     II.     I followed, carrying     Her basket; varying     Fond hopes of marrying         With hopes denied;     Both late and early     She deemed me surly,     And bowed her curly         Fair head and sighed:     III.     "The skies look lowery;     It will he showery;     No longer flowery         The way I find.     No use in going.     'T will soon be snowing     If you keep growing         Much more unkind."     IV.     Then looked up tearfully.     And I, all fearfully,     Replied, "My dear, fully         Will I explain:     I love you dearly,     But look not cheerly     Since all says clearly         I love in vain."     V.     Then smiled she airily;     And answered merrily     With words that - verily         Made me decide:     And drawing tow'rd her,     I there implored her -     I who adored her -         To be my bride.     VI.     O sweet simplicity     Of young rusticity,     Without duplicity,         Whom love made know,     That hearts in meter     Make earth completer;     And kisses, sweeter         Than - berries grow.