The Weaver Boy. Poem by Samuel Bamford

'Oh stay, oh stay, thou lady gay!
And deign to lend an ear;
Fair lady, seekest thou thy love?
Thy truest love is here.'
'And how dost thou presume to love,'
The lady gay replied,
'A maid so much thy rank above,
Both rich and dignified?
Hence, simple boy, and learn to know
That ladies do not look so low.'

'Oh stay, oh stay, thou lady gay!'
With tears the youth did cry;
And the gentle maid once more hath stay'd
Before the pleading boy.
'My station thou art far above,
That truth too well I know,
Since thou hast bought my work of love,
And yet contemn'st me so.'
And how is that, the maid did say,
'Speak, for I can no longer stay?'

'Fair lady, as at work I sat,
And wrought that garment fine,
A winged child, who lisp'd and smil'd,
Foretold it should be thine;
He took a fibre from my heart,
And trac'd that pattern dear,
And dy'd it with my love-warm blood,
And wash'd it with my tear!'
With melting eye the maid did say,
'Take comfort till another day.'