“A sorry merchant am I on this day,
E'en as thou willest so must I obey.”

— William Morris

The Earthly Paradise (1868-70), The Lady of the Land
Context: From those thy words, I deem from some distress
By deeds of mine thy dear life I might save;
O then, delay not! if one ever gave
His life to any, mine I give to thee;
Come, tell me what the price of love must be?
Swift death, to be with thee a day and night
And with the earliest dawning to be slain?
Or better, a long year of great delight,
And many years of misery and pain?
Or worse, and this poor hour for all my gain?
A sorry merchant am I on this day,
E'en as thou willest so must I obey.

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William Morris 119

author, designer, and craftsman 1834–1896

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“A sorry merchant am I on this day,E'en as thou willest so must I obey.”

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William Morris 119

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“A sorry merchant am I on this day,
E'en as thou willest so must I obey.”