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ALL the woods are now in flower, | |
| Song-birds sing in field and bower, | |
| Orchards their white blossoms shower: | |
| Lads, make merry in Love’s hour! | |
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| Sordid grief hath flown away, | 5 |
| Fervid Love is here to-day; | |
| He will tame without delay | |
| Those who love not while they may. | |
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| HE. | “Fairest maiden, list to me; | |
| Do not thus disdainful be; | 10 |
| Scorn and anger disagree | |
| With thy youth, and injure thee. | |
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| I am weaker than thou art; | |
| Mighty Love hath pierced my heart; | |
| Scarce can I endure his dart: | 15 |
| Lest I die, heal, heal my smart!” | |
| |
| SHE. | “Why d’you coax me, suitor blind? | |
| What you seek you will not find; | |
| I’m too young for love to bind; | |
| Such vain trifles vex my mind. | 20 |
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| Is’t your will with me to toy? | |
| I’ll not mate with man or boy: | |
| Like the Phœnix, to enjoy | |
| Single life shall be my joy.” | |
| |
| HE. | “Yet Love is tyrannous, | 25 |
| Harsh, fierce, imperious! | |
| He who man’s heart can thus | |
| Shatter, may make to bow | |
| Maidens as stern as thou!” | |
| |
| SHE. | “Now by your words I’m ’ware | 30 |
| What you wish, what you are; | |
| You know love well, I swear! | |
| So I’ll be loved by you; | |
| Now I’m on fire too?” | |
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