The Poetry Corner

Taylor's Song (From Maria Stuart)

By Bjrnstjerne Martinius Bjrnson

For joys the hours of earth bestow With sorrow thou must pay. Though many follow close, yet know, They're loaned but for a day. With sighing in thy laughter's stead Shall come a time of grief, The load of usury bow thy head, With loss of thy belief. Mary Anne, Mary Anne, Mary Anne, Mary Anne, Hadst thou not smiled upon me, thou, I were not weeping now. May God help him who never can Give only half his soul; The time comes surely for that man To take the sorrow whole. May God help him who was so glad, That he cannot forget, Help him who lost the all he had, But not his reason yet. Mary Anne, Mary Anne, Mary Anne, Mary Anne, The flowers that my life had grown, Died out when thou went gone.