The Beggar Maid-Lord Tennyson

THE BEGGAR MAID

Her arms across her breast she laid;

She was more fair than words can say;

Bare-footed came the beggar maid

Before the king Cophetua.

In robe and crown the king stept down,

To meet and greet her on her way;

'It is no wonder,' said the lords,

'She is more beautiful than day.'


As shines the moon in clouded skies,

She in her poor attire was seen:

One praised her ankles, one her eyes,

One her dark hair and lovesome mien.

So sweet a face, such angel grace,

In all that land had never been:

Cophetua sware a royal oath:

'This beggar maid shall be my queen!'


LORD TENNYSON


Summary: 'The Beggar Maid' is a poem by Lord Tennyson that tells the story of a beggar girl who captures the attention and admiration of King Cophetua. The poem begins by describing the beggar maid, who lays her arms across her chest and is portrayed as incredibly beautiful, even beyond what word can express. She appears barefooted before King Cophetua, who is adorned in his royal robe and crown.

The king is so captivated by the beggar maid's beauty that he steps down from his position to personally meet and greet her. The lords in the king's court are astonished by her radiance, commenting that she is more beautiful than the brightness of day itself.

Despite her humble appearance, the beggar maid's beauty shines through like the moon in a cloudy sky. People around her praise various aspects of her, such as her ankles, eyes, dark hair, and lovely demeanor. Her face is described as sweet and possessing an angelic grace that had never been seen before in the land.

Overwhelmed by his love for the beggar maid, King Cophetua makes a solemn promise by swearing a royal oath that she shall become his queen, despite her lowly status. The poem concludes with this declaration, emphasizing the power of love and beauty to transcend social barriers and unite two individuals from different worlds.

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