Thou who dost wander in the shadow’d wood,

Whilst elders keep afar and come not nigh,

Here is thy name full known and understood;

Thou walk’st in circles, lost thou know’st not why.

 

Thou who dost wander in the shadow’d wood,

Though thy dear mother bid thee not to stray,

If thou shouldst hear a voice in murmurs low’d;

Turn not thy head - oh, turn thy sight away.

 

Thou who dost wander in the shadow’d wood,

Whilst elders’ watch is absent from this place,

Unbidden hast thou come where none have stood;

Turn back thy heels, and quicken thou thy pace.

 

Thou who dost wander in the shadow’d wood,

Though thy stern father would not have thee near,

If thou shouldst hear “Come hither” softly woo’d;

Run swift and still - return thou never here.

 

Mary Bradbury, v. 1650–1710