My Grandad’s Poetry 2 – The Marbury Lady

Before we begin, and interesting little foible that I have noticed with how my grandad wrote these poems: the end of each poem leads us into the next. For instance, Marston Verses ended with a short passage about the Marbury Lady, the famous local spirit that is the subject of this very poem. The next one after this will be about the Marbury Dun, which is also a sad tale (as so many local tales are!)

The Marbury Lady

Many years have passed since that sorrowful night

Many tales have been told to the young by the old,

Many smiles, many moans, smiles change to groans

At the sadness that occurred during the hazy moonlight.

One evening I watched through the leaves of a tree,

And saw her spirit wander, slowly, forward to me,

Then she turned to the terrace and descended the steps

Looking over the mere, quiet and peaceful, at rest.

I noticed her beauty, admired her grace, eyes like diamonds,

Skillfully set in her face, but I also saw sadness,

Set deep within her heart, sorrow and feelings

That could never depart.

Awestruck i waited, hardly daring to breathe,

As she stood by the water I wanted to leave

And run away, into the depths of the wood

Frightened beyond words, but I knew it was no good

As i stood there in silence, she looked up to the hall

Gazed at the windows as if she wanted to speak

But no words came, though her lips trembled so

Why didn’t they listen, why didn’t they know

Of the heartache and sorrow that troubled her so?

Eyes dim with grief, tears running down her cheeks

She entered the water, so cool and so deep,

No splashing, no ripples, she sank far beneath.

Gone now forever, never more to weep,

Of this world or its peoples, please, let her sleep.

I turned away wondering, who would believe

This century old epic, that I had perceived.

Now then no further, at Marbury hall remain

For here come the hunters back from a lively game

And there is the horse that’s king all around

Apathering up the Marbury ground.

The Marbury Dun, it’s known to all

That can run for days and never fall.

A large brown animal with muscles strong

A brandy glass toast, the gentry among.

The finest horse the world’s ever seen

It’s eyes so sharp and ears so keen,

So read you on, of where it’s run

And remember the story of the Marbury Dun.