The Tower of St. Maur
But never an answer spake St. Maur,
Never a word but one :
"Have you finished your devil's work, mason,
Or when will the deed be done?"
"Oh, the work is done that ye washed, St. Maur,
'Twill last for many a year;
There's scarce a sound in the wall by now
A mother might not hear.
"Gang home, gang home in peace, St. Maur,
And sleep sound if you can;
There's never a flood shall rock this tower.
And never a mortal man.
"Gang home and kiss your bonny wife.
And bid her mourn and fast . . .
She'll weep a year for her youngest child.
But she'll dry her eyes at last.
"You'll say he fell in the flood, St. Maur,
But you'll not deceive yoursel'.
For you've lost the bonniest thing you had.
And you'll remember well.
"Your wife will mourn him a year, St. Maur,
You'll mourn him all your life,
For you've lost the bonniest thing you had,
Better than bairns or wife."
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