Author: Madison Julius Cawein

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    John-A-Dreams and Harum-Scarum
    Came a-riding into town:
    At the Sign o' the Jug-and-Jorum
    There they met with Low-lie-down.

    Brave in shoes of Romany leather,
    Bodice blue and gipsy gown,
    And a cap of fur and feather,
    In the inn sat Low-lie-down.

    Harum-Scarum kissed her lightly,
    Smiled into her eyes of brown,
    Clasped her waist and held her tightly,
    Saying, "Love me, Low-lie-down."

    Then with many an oath and swagger,
    As a man of great renown,
    On the board he clapped his dagger,
    Called for sack and sat him down.

    So a while they laughed together:
    Then he rose and with a frown
    Sighed, "While still 't is pleasant weather
    I must leave thee, Low-lie-down."

    So away rode Harum-Scarum,
    With a song rode out of town;
    At the sign o' the Jug-and-Jorum
    Weeping tarried Low-lie-down.

    Then this John-a-dreams, in tatters,
    In his pocket ne'er a crown,
    Touched her saying, "Wench, what matters!
    Dry your eyes and, come, sit down.

    "Here's my hand: let's roam together,
    Far away from thorp and town.
    Here's my heart for any weather,
    And my dreams, too, Low-lie-down.

    "Some men call me dreamer, poet;
    Some men call me fool and clown
    What I am but you shall know it!
    Come with me, sweet Low-lie-down.

    For a little while she pondered.
    Smiled and said, "Let care go drown!"
    Rose and kissed him. Forth they wandered,
    John-a-dreams and Low-lie-down.

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Type of Poem: Ballad

Date Written:

Date Published:

Language: English

Keywords: Public Domain

Source: Public Domain Collection

Publisher:

Rights/Permissions: Public Domain

Comments/Notes: This poem paints a vivid narrative full of charm, passion, and intrigue, using a blend of romantic and rustic elements to highlight the themes of love, loss, and the transient nature of relationships. The tone alternates between whimsical, tender, and melancholic, creating an emotional arc that matches the events of the story.

The structure of the poem is consistent, employing a rhythmic pattern and rhyme scheme that adds a musical quality to the narrative. This heightened rhythmic quality helps to underscore the dramatic moments within the poem, such as Harum-Scarum's departure and John-a-dream's proposal. As for literary devices, the poem makes effective use of personification and vivid imagery to bring the characters to life and establish the setting. The use of unique monikers for the characters, such as "John-a-Dreams" and "Harum-Scarum," adds a layer of depth and personality, while the repeated reference to "Low-lie-down" serves as an emotive motif and symbol of the woman caught between two contrasting suitors. This poem beautifully illustrates the contrast between fleeting passion and enduring love, offering both a captivating narrative and thoughtful commentary on human relationships.