Three Poems by Christina Rossetti

A linnet in a gilded cage

A linnet in a gilded cage, -
A linnet on a bough, -
In frosty winter one might doubt
Which bird is luckier now.
But let the trees burst out in leaf,
And nests be on the bough,
Which linnet is the luckier bird,
Oh who could doubt it now?

Ferry me across the water

"Ferry me across the water,
Do, boatman, do."
"If you've a penny in your purse
I'll ferry you."

"I have a penny in my purse,
And my eyes are blue;
So ferry me across the water,
Do, boatman, do."

"Step into my ferry-boat,
Be they black or blue,
And for the penny in your purse
I'll ferry you."

Goodbye

"Goodbye in fear, goodbye in sorrow,
Goodbye, and all in vain,
Never to meet again, my dear -"
"Never to part again."
"Goodbye today, goodbye tomorrow,
Goodbye till earth shall wane,
Never to meet again, my dear -"
"Never to part again."