 | Australian Lyrics &c |  |
THE NEW LOVE.
She leans upon the balcony that overlooks the gardens—
A slender girl, with golden curl and eye that laughs and speaks,
Dressed in the pertest of resuscitated Dolly Vardens,
With roses on her “Patience” hat and roses in her cheeks.
A slender girl, with golden curl and eye that laughs and speaks,
Dressed in the pertest of resuscitated Dolly Vardens,
With roses on her “Patience” hat and roses in her cheeks.
I've passed beside her home, en route for office in the morning,
For months and never seen her there: yet now I never pass
Without seeing her encastled 'mid the jessamine adorning
And hedging in her watch-tower with its bloom-starred leafy mass.
For months and never seen her there: yet now I never pass
Without seeing her encastled 'mid the jessamine adorning
And hedging in her watch-tower with its bloom-starred leafy mass.
When they meet within a ball-room she gives him all the dances
She dares venture and one more, and is e'er on the qui vive
For a warm grip in the Lancers or telegram of glances,
And an interchange of whispers when daylight bids her leave.
She dares venture and one more, and is e'er on the qui vive
For a warm grip in the Lancers or telegram of glances,
And an interchange of whispers when daylight bids her leave.
67
She will linger over supper, will feel hot if he wills it,
And wander on the terrace, or detect a sudden chill
If he's querulous of cold: he but speaks and she fulfils it,
Though she to others is a very goddess of self-will.
And wander on the terrace, or detect a sudden chill
If he's querulous of cold: he but speaks and she fulfils it,
Though she to others is a very goddess of self-will.
She sketches in advance every movement of her morrow,
In case he can accompany, and throws out gentle hints
For his fellowship, and tells him in confidence each sorrow
That on the smoothness of her life has left its rugged prints.
In case he can accompany, and throws out gentle hints
For his fellowship, and tells him in confidence each sorrow
That on the smoothness of her life has left its rugged prints.
She is gracious when they meet, and is tender at their partings,
And blushes when she speaks of him, and, when she blushes, smiles,
Spite of a morbid terror lest her heart's delights and smartings
Should be laid open to the light for all her simple wiles.
And blushes when she speaks of him, and, when she blushes, smiles,
Spite of a morbid terror lest her heart's delights and smartings
Should be laid open to the light for all her simple wiles.
She will laugh with him and chatter from dawn to dewy even,
Noting no more of the hours than the blades among the grass
That they tread on as they roam, or the clouds above in heaven,
Until the dusk reminds them how the golden minutes pass.
Noting no more of the hours than the blades among the grass
That they tread on as they roam, or the clouds above in heaven,
Until the dusk reminds them how the golden minutes pass.
But is this rapture lasting? She has been as lost to others,
Has gripped other hands as warmly, has lifted her kind eyes
To other eyes as tenderly; you have had elder brothers
In the graces, favoured lover, which you now monopolize.
Has gripped other hands as warmly, has lifted her kind eyes
To other eyes as tenderly; you have had elder brothers
In the graces, favoured lover, which you now monopolize.
Take warning, if you love her: now she looks for your caresses.
But, when the newness has worn off, will cast you on one side,
And take you up about as soon as one of her old dresses,
Or the rose that in the heat last night upon her ball-dress died.
But, when the newness has worn off, will cast you on one side,
And take you up about as soon as one of her old dresses,
Or the rose that in the heat last night upon her ball-dress died.
| Australian Lyrics &c | |