Martin Pippin in the Apple Orchard by Eleanor Farjeon (top 10 novels to read .TXT) 📗

That ever a Lady saw, Where my Lady, my beautiful Lady, My Lady shall lie upon straw. Strew the warm white straw, said he, My arms shall all her shelter be, Her castle-walls and her own roof-tree-- Strew my Lady's bedstraw.

When he had done Martin Said, "Will you go traveling, Gillian?"

And Gillian answered, "With joy, Martin. But before I go traveling, I will sing to you."

And taking the lute from him she sang him her very first song.

I saw an Old Man by the wayside Sit down with his crutch to rest, Like the smoke of an angry kettle Was the beard puffed over his breast.

But when I tugged at the Old Man's beard He turned to a beardless boy, And the boy and myself went traveling, Traveling wild with joy.

With eyes that twinkled and hearts that danced And feet that skipped as they ran-- Now welcome, you blithe young Traveler! And fare you well, Old Man!

When she had done Martin caught her in his arms and kissed her on the mouth and on the eyes and on both cheeks and on her two hands, and on the back of the neck where babies are kissed; and standing her up on the barrel and himself on the ground, he kissed her feet, one after the other. Then he cried, "Jump, lass! jump when I tell you!" and Gillian jumped. And as happy as children they ran hand-in-hand out of the Malthouse and down the road to Hardham.

Overhead the sun was running away from the clouds with all his might, and they were trying to catch hold of him one by one, in vain; for he rolled through their soft grasp, leaving their hands bright with gold-dust.

End of The Project Gutenberg Etext of Martin Pippin in the Apple Orchard

Martin Pippin in the Apple Orchard

by Eleanor Farjeon

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