University of Virginia Library


18

SONG.

[WHEN William first woo'd, I said yes to the swain]

WHEN William first woo'd, I said yes to the swain,
And made him as blest as a lord—
For ye virgins around, in my speech to be plain,
That no is a dangerous word!
The girl that will always say no, I'm afraid,
Is doom'd by her planet to die an old maid.
The gentlemen seem one and all to agree,
That we're made of materials for kissing—
And if so, for I really believe it, good me!

19

What joys through one no might be missing!
Since the girl who will always say no, I'm afraid,
Is doom'd by her planet to die an old maid.
Say yes, and of courtship ye finish the toil—
Whole mountains at once ye remove—
You brighten the eyes of the swain by a smile,
For smiles are the sunshine of love?
Say yes, and the world will acquit you of art,
Since the tongue will not then give the lie to the heart.