 | Poems and Romances |  |
119
“IL NE FAUT PAS JOUER AVEC L'AMOUR.”
A rosy maiden playing,
Alone and fancy-free,
Met Baby Love a-maying,
Under a Judas tree.
Alone and fancy-free,
Met Baby Love a-maying,
Under a Judas tree.
Love said, “It is not merry
For maids to play alone;
Come play with me bob-cherry.”
She thought the baby grown.
For maids to play alone;
Come play with me bob-cherry.”
She thought the baby grown.
She played with him an hour,
Till both their lips were red;
And then Love plucked a flower,
And put it on her head.
Till both their lips were red;
And then Love plucked a flower,
And put it on her head.
120
It grew and wound around her,
As she went on with Love.
Love drew it close and bound her;
She took no heed thereof.
As she went on with Love.
Love drew it close and bound her;
She took no heed thereof.
The flowers which bound the maiden
Slipped to a young man's hand,
As she sank down overladen
With Love in a strange land.
Slipped to a young man's hand,
As she sank down overladen
With Love in a strange land.
Quoth she, “Can you discover
And bring my lord to me?”
“Ere midnight strike, your lover
Shall kneel to you,” quoth he.
And bring my lord to me?”
“Ere midnight strike, your lover
Shall kneel to you,” quoth he.
“Remember when you find him
To bind him lest he rise.”
Love said, “I cannot bind him;
But I will bind your eyes.”
To bind him lest he rise.”
Love said, “I cannot bind him;
But I will bind your eyes.”
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