 | Miscellanies (1885) |  |
103
“THAT I LOVE THEE, CHARMING MAID,”
That I love thee, charming maid, I a thousand times have said,
And a thousand times more I have sworn it;
But 'tis easy to be seen in the coldness of your mien
That you doubt my affection, or scorn it.
Ah me!
And a thousand times more I have sworn it;
But 'tis easy to be seen in the coldness of your mien
That you doubt my affection, or scorn it.
Ah me!
Not a single pile of sense is in the whole of these pretences
For rejecting your lover's petitions;
Had I windows in my bosom, oh! how gladly I'd expose 'em
To undo your phantastic suspicions.
Ah me!
For rejecting your lover's petitions;
Had I windows in my bosom, oh! how gladly I'd expose 'em
To undo your phantastic suspicions.
Ah me!
You repeat I've known you long, and you hint I do you wrong
In beginning so late to pursue ye;
But 'tis folly to look glum because people did not come
Up the stairs of your nursery to woo ye.
Ah me!
In beginning so late to pursue ye;
But 'tis folly to look glum because people did not come
Up the stairs of your nursery to woo ye.
Ah me!
In a grapery one walks without looking at the stalks,
While the bunches are green that they're bearing;
All the pretty little leaves that are dangling at the eaves
Scarce attract even a moment of staring.
Ah me!
While the bunches are green that they're bearing;
All the pretty little leaves that are dangling at the eaves
Scarce attract even a moment of staring.
Ah me!
104
But when time has swell'd the grapes to a richer style of shapes,
And the sun has lent warmth to their blushes,
Then to cheer us and to gladden, to enchant us and to madden,
Is the ripe ruddy glory that rushes.
Ah me!
And the sun has lent warmth to their blushes,
Then to cheer us and to gladden, to enchant us and to madden,
Is the ripe ruddy glory that rushes.
Ah me!
Oh 'tis then that mortals pant, while they gaze on Bacchus' plant,
Oh 'tis then—will my simile serve ye?
Should a damsel fair repine, though neglected like a vine?
Both ere long shall turn heads topsy-turvy.
Ah me!
Oh 'tis then—will my simile serve ye?
Should a damsel fair repine, though neglected like a vine?
Both ere long shall turn heads topsy-turvy.
Ah me!
| Miscellanies (1885) | |