Maiden-Song Christina Rossetti

Long ago and long ago,
         And long ago still,
There dwelt three merry maidens
         Upon a distant hill.
One was tall Meggan,
        And one was dainty May,
But one was fair Margaret,
         More fair than I can say,
Long ago and long ago.

When Meggan plucked the thorny rose,
         And when May pulled the brier,
Half the birds would swoop to see,
         Half the beasts draw nigher;
Half the fishes of the streams
        Would dart up to admire:
But when Margaret plucked a flag-flower,
         Or poppy hot aflame,
All the beasts and all the birds
        And all the fishes came
To her hand more soft than snow.

Strawberry leaves and May-dew
         In brisk morning air,
Strawberry leaves and May-dew
         Make maidens fair.
"I go for strawberry-leaves,"
        Meggan said one day:
"Fair Margaret can bide at home,
        But you come with me, May;
Up the hill and down the hill,
        Along the winding way,
You and I are used to go."