 | The Collected Songs of Charles Mackay |  |
WHAT! BANISH LOVE?
I
What! banish love from English song,To please a prudish fancy,
And sing no more of Jane or Kate,
Of Mary or of Nancy?
Yes! if you'll banish light from day,
Or stars when evening closes,
Or happy smiles from beauty's eyes,
Or odour from the roses!
II
The love we sing is love refined,As pure as English beauty;
As warm and true as English hearts,
And stanch as English duty.
We'll banish it from English song,
When looks no more reveal it!
And tongues and eyes confess, with truth,
That hearts have ceased to feel it!
| The Collected Songs of Charles Mackay | |