Oh Gallant Shepherd Part I.

Oh! Gallant Shepherd!

1700’s

Twas once a gallant shepherd,

whom cared for sheep from valleys, and yonder way.

From evening to morning when wise man and wife would lay.

He would spend his time on the meadows haying.

It was in evening when he would spy,

 to steal a glimpse of the wealthy merchants’ daughter.

Alas! The shepherd was so young, not near four and twenty.

But oh God have mercy on his poor worn face.

For the sleepless nights left him weary,

and the sun left his cheeks to be red.

But he was amiable, and so reserved,

he was never rash and always gentle.

Which made well that he was a shepherd,

but alas so would it fail him love?

It was one day he aspired the young girls company,

and how gaily ( happily) she excepted.

And the shepherd in all his ambition herded the sheep, 

to where she may rest her lovely head,

and stroke the lovely wool.

When the sun was beginning to set, even the sheep felt renewal.

The softness of her touch, her compassion mild,

but  twas the shepherd whom felt his love.

And the sun arose to noon, and spied them everyday.

The shepherd asked his love in ardent spirit,

if he shall share her heart,

and presented her with a gift;

a lovely blue song bird.

And it was when the bird fancied a perch, that on her finger.

And she looked at the shepherd tired aged face.

But she saw not the age transpire,

nor would she pay a notice  if was rhuthmitism in his shoulder.

The sheep bahed.

That was all that was heard, but yet was more still was to be heard?

Author's Note

Readers: do please pardon my bad grammar, but otherwise I hope you enjoy this poem, I hope soon to write to other sequels for it ! I was inspired by Boucher's two paintings the Gallant Shepherd, and the other I believe is denominated the Amorous Shepherd.

Reviews

[OT]

ooo very nice!! the classic feel to it is well done - and surprisingly for this type of style - it actually reads pretty natural - often you run the risk of sounding forced - but this overcomes that quite well - the feel is very classic english almost - the word choice and cadence - the rhymes alternating - strong at parts (the beginning) and looser towards the middle as the story twists - great lines in this one too - "The shepherd asked his love in ardent spirit, if he shall share her heart, and presented her with a gift; a lovely blue song bird." - sure a few tiny grammar/spelling issues but who cares - the piece speaks for itself! great write!!

[GTVile]

There were a few spelling errors, "accepted" and a few other small grammatical issues, but you do write in a very endearing old style that far too few people even attempt nowadays. As a historian I can definitely appreciate that and hope you continue to write in such a fashion. =)