Page:Poems Rossetti.djvu/84

I stood a minute out of sight,
 Stood silent for a minute
To eye the pail, and creamy white
 The frothing milk within it;

To eye the comely milking maid
 Herself so fresh and creamy:
"Good day to you," at last I said;
 She turned her head to see me:
"Good day," she said with lifted head;
 Her eyes looked soft and dreamy,

And all the while she milked and milked
 The grave cow heavy-laden:
I've seen grand ladies plumed and silked,
 But not a sweeter maiden;

But not a sweeter fresher maid
 Than this in homely cotton,
Whose pleasant face and silky braid
 I have not yet forgotten.

Seven springs have passed since then, as I
 Count with a sober sorrow;
Seven springs have come and passed me by,
 And spring sets in to-morrow.

I've half a mind to shake myself
 Free just for once from London,
To set my work upon the shelf
 And leave it done or undone;