She is a maid of artless grace

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow portrait

1807 to 1882

Poem Image

She is a maid of artless grace,
Gentle in form, and fair of face,

Tell me, thou ancient mariner,
  That sailest on the sea,
If ship, or sail or evening star
  Be half so fair as she!

Tell me, thou gallant cavalier,
  Whose shining arms I see,
If steel, or sword, or battle-field
  Be half so fair as she!

Tell me, thou swain, that guard'st thy flock
  Beneath the shadowy tree,
If flock, or vale, or mountain-ridge
  Be half so fair as she!

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