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Poem
September 8, 1801
The New Hampshire Gazette
Portsmouth, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
What is this article about?
A speaker searches for his beloved Mary, the sorrowful Caledonian maid, whose grief stems from war preventing their marriage. With peace restored, he anticipates joy in her arms.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
CALEDONIAN MAID:
Hi! say, have you seen my Mary e'en,
The Caledonian maid?
Or heard the shepherds on the green
Say where my Mary's stray'd?
The damsel is of angel mien,
With sad and downcast eyes:
The shepherds call her Sorrow's Queen,
So pensively she sighs.
But why those sighs so sadly swell,
Or why her tears so flow,
In vain they press the lovely girl
The innate cause to know.
Ere reason form'd her tender mind,
The virgin learnt to love;
Compassion taught her to be kind:
Deceit she was above.
And, had not war's terrific voice
Forbid the nuptial bands,
Ere this had Sandy been her choice,
And Hymen join'd our hands:
But since the word of war is sheath'd,
And peace resumes her charms,
My ev'ry joy is now bequeath'd
Unto my Mary's arms.
Hi! say, have you seen my Mary e'en,
The Caledonian maid?
Or heard the shepherds on the green
Say where my Mary's stray'd?
The damsel is of angel mien,
With sad and downcast eyes:
The shepherds call her Sorrow's Queen,
So pensively she sighs.
But why those sighs so sadly swell,
Or why her tears so flow,
In vain they press the lovely girl
The innate cause to know.
Ere reason form'd her tender mind,
The virgin learnt to love;
Compassion taught her to be kind:
Deceit she was above.
And, had not war's terrific voice
Forbid the nuptial bands,
Ere this had Sandy been her choice,
And Hymen join'd our hands:
But since the word of war is sheath'd,
And peace resumes her charms,
My ev'ry joy is now bequeath'd
Unto my Mary's arms.
What sub-type of article is it?
Ballad
Song
What themes does it cover?
Love Courtship
War Military
Marriage Celebration
What keywords are associated?
Caledonian Maid
Mary
Shepherds
War
Peace
Love
Marriage
Sorrow
Poem Details
Title
Caledonian Maid
Form / Style
Rhymed Stanzas
Key Lines
Hi! Say, Have You Seen My Mary E'en,
The Caledonian Maid?
Or Heard The Shepherds On The Green
Say Where My Mary's Stray'd?
And, Had Not War's Terrific Voice
Forbid The Nuptial Bands,
Ere This Had Sandy Been Her Choice,
And Hymen Join'd Our Hands:
But Since The Word Of War Is Sheath'd,
And Peace Resumes Her Charms,
My Ev'ry Joy Is Now Bequeath'd
Unto My Mary's Arms.