Poems (Cary)/Nobility

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NOBILITY.
Hilda is a lofty lady, Very proud is she—I am but a simple herdsman Dwelling by the sea.Hilda hath a spacious palace, Broad, and white and high;Twenty good dogs guard the portal— Never house had I.
Hilda hath a thousand meadows— Boundless forest lands;She hath men and maids for service— I have but my hands.The sweet summer's ripest roses, Hilda's cheeks outvie—Queens have paled to see her beauty— But my beard have I.
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Hilda from her palace windows Looketh down on me,Keeping with my dove-brown oxen By the silver sea.When her dulcet harp she playeth, Wild birds, singing nigh,Cluster listening by her white hands— But my reed have I.
I am but a simple herdsman, With nor house nor lands;She hath men and maids for service— I have but my hands.And yet what are all her crimsons To my sunset sky—With my free hands and my manhood Hilda's peer am I.
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