A young girl walking to town suddenly finds herself in the middle of a royal spectacle. Bells ring, clerks rush from their shops, and a crowd gathers to see a King and Queen pass by. She is standing among everyone else when word comes that the King wants her specifically. That moment frightens her—she cannot imagine what a king might say to an ordinary girl. But his request is simple: he wants her to ride in his coach. The repeated phrase “Me alone” captures her mix of fear, wonder, and pride at being singled out. The mood feels like a child’s daydream or fairy tale, full of nervous excitement. By the end, her fear gives way to a giddy sense of importance as she rides along, aware that this strange honor belongs only to her.
Me Alone — Summary
As I was going to town, I saw a King and a Queen. Such ringing of bells you never heard, The clerks ran out of the stores; You know how it was, Me alone. I was standing as the others were, “Oh! you little girl,” some one said, “The King wants you,” I became frightened Wondering what he had to say, Me alone. Here’s what he wanted: He wanted me to ride in his coach, I felt myself so much riding in a King’s coach, Me alone.