10 JULY 1964, Page 24

MI I Tell You from My Heart

I begged my love to wait a bit Although the sky was clear: 'I smell a shower of rain,' said I, 'And you'll be caught, I fear.' 'You want to keep me trapped,' she said, 'And hold my hand again . .

But not ten minutes had she gone When how the rain did rain!

'Alas, dear love, so wet you are— You should have trusted me! For all! tell you front my heart Is sure as prophecy.'

I begged my love to wait a bit And watch the faggots blaze. 'There's music on the march,' said I, To cheer whoever stays.'

'You want to keep me trapped,' she said, '0 every night's the same . . But not ten minutes had she gone When in the fiddlers came!

'Alas, dear love, what tunes they played—, You should have trusted me For all! tell you from my heart Is sure as prophecy.'

I begged my love to take good heed When walking through the wood, And warned her of a random rogue Who brought the world no good. 'You want to keep me trapped,' she said, 'And roll me in your bed . .

But scarce a hundred yards from home She lost her maidenhead.

'Alas, dear love, it is too late— You should have trusted me ! For all I told you from my heart Was sure as prophecy.'

ROBERT GRAVES

@ International Authors NV 1964