The poem starts with the cries of the goblins and their tactics for luring maidens to buy their fruit. Every evening two sisters, Laura and Lizzie listen to the goblins cry, one more curious than the other. The sexual nature of the goblins makes Lizzie shy and embarrassed while Laura can not resist her temptation to peek at these men. Once she sees the goblins she desires their “fruit” even more; and soon sweet toothed Laura tastes the honey. She is willing to give up so much just to get a piece of their fruit. She sucks and sucks until her lips are sore and her payment complete.
When she returns home it is easy to see that even though Laura wanted the attention of the goblins, her sisters cautious behavior may prove to be the more worthy decision. Lizzie warned Laura and said the men were bad news, but it was not enough. Laura is now obsessed with the goblins and is heartbroken when she can no longer hear their cries. She longs for their fruit and desires their honey.
Lizzie on the other hand, still pure, can hear the goblin cries and wishes to purchase their fruit for her sister. Seeing Laura depressed sends Lizzie on the hunt for fruit. Once she finds the goblins, however, they end up attacking and sexually assaulting her. Lizzie does not give into the temptation though and is almost happy when she leaves the goblins, feeling as if she defeated them.
When she returns home she greets Laura and allows her to suck the honey that lay upon Lizzie’s face. Laura rejoices in the fact that Lizzie has not tasted the forbidden fruit and upon her own taste she realizes that the juices are not the same as they once were. They were tainted and bitter. Both women grow up to have families and lives past their encounter with the goblins and their fruit.
