Classic Poem

1.

Young men and maids, pray lend attention
Of these few lines I'm going to write,
Of a young youth, no name I'll mention,
Who courted a damsel, a beauty bright.

2.

When his old parents came to know this,
They strove to part them day and night;
They strove to part him from his jewel,
" She's poor, she's poor, " they often cried.

3.

Down on his bended knees he pleaded,
Crying, " Father, mother, pity me!
She is my own, my dearest jewel
What's this world without her to be? "

4.

She turned her back unto the city,
She walked the green fields and meadows around;
She walked unto some fair broad waters
And under a shady grove sat down.

5.

She picked up her silver dagger,
Pierced it through her snow-white breast;
She said these words and gave a stagger;
" Farewell true love! I'm going to rest. "

6.

Her love, being out upon the water,
Chanced to hear her dying groan;
He ran, he ran like one distracted:
" I am ruined, I'm lost, I am left alone. "

7.

She opened her coal-black eyes upon him
Saying, " O true love, you've come too late!
But meet me on the old road Zion,
Where all our joys will be complete. "

8.

He picked up the bloody dagger,
Pierced it through his tender heart:
Let this be a sad and woeful warning
To all true lovers that have to part.