slighted
Slighted
This poem appears in the collections of 1878, 1886 and 1888.
My heart is sore and like to break
The envied rose upon my cheek
That once did blossom now is bleak
Since he has slighted me.
A very shadow lone and pale
I unheard my lot bewail
While he listens to another’s tale
And has no ear for me.
I dreamed last night to me he came
A blush was on his cheek for shame
He took my hand, he breathed my name
He spoke kind words to me.
The vision fled and I was left
Alone to ponder my distress
And mourn a life of hope bereft
By his false vows to me.
He’ll rue that e’er he wronged me so
Yet were my woe a greater woe
I would not do by him, oh no
As he has done by me.
The original poem is much longer than this (15 verses) so I selected 5 verses which I hope convey the overall meaning of the poem. I sing it unaccompanied, to a melody which is in a traditional folk style.
The original poem, from the 1878 collection, is given below:
SLIGHTED
Ah me, my heart is like to break,
The envied rose upon my cheek,
The blood red rose is cold and bleak
Since he has slighted me.
A very shadow lone and pale,
I all unheard my lot bewail,
He listens to another’s tale,
He has no ear for me.
Erewhile as if a toad were I,
He with that other passed me by;
She "hemm'd" and tossed her head on high,
And so, he scowled at me.
Ah, had he looked upon my grief,
Had he not sought to give relief,
I feel my days below are brief,
By his harsh ways to me.
I trail about I know not how,
I like a thief slink down the row,
For well behind my back I know,
The rest all laugh at me.
The one unto the other wink
Whenever down the row I slink;
Their hearts are filled with glee to think
How he's deserted me.
The very bairns have caught their words,
As notes are caught by mocking birds;
By jibes are rent my bosom chords,
And grief is killing me.
I feel my days on earth are brief -
Ah, could he look upon my grief,
Would he not try to bring relief,
And rue his wrong to me?
I dream'd last night to me he came,
A blush was on his cheek for shame;
He took my hand, he breathed my name,
He spake kind words to me.
Back from mine eyes my locks he drew,
He bound them with a ribbon blue,
He kiss'd me as he used to do -
He gave such looks to me.
Such looks? No sun will rise or set
When I forget those looks - forget
Those star-bright eyes - those eyes of jet,
Which stole my heart from me.
The vision fled and I was left
With tear on tear, with heart thrice cleft,
And mourn a lot of hope bereft
By his false vows to me.
He’ll rue that e’er he wronged me so,
Yet were my woe a greater woe,
I would not do by him - ah, no!
As he has done by me.
My heart is rent, my heart is sore,
A canker eats into its core;
Yet would I breathe my last before
He'd wring a curse from me.
Alas, alas! Deceiver say,
How could'st thou wile my heart away,
Then leave me thus by night and day
To sigh and pine for thee?