John Stuart Blackie (1809–1895)

NAME the leaves on all the trees,

Name the waves on all the seas,

Name the notes of all the groves,

Thus thou namest all my loves.

I do love the young, the old,

Maiden modest, virgin bold;

Tiny beauties and the tall—

Earth has room enough for all!

Which is better—who can say?—

Mary grave or Lucy gay?

She who half her charms conceals,

She who flashes while she feels?

Why should I my love confine?

Why should fair be mine or thine?

If I praise a tulip, why

Should I pass the primrose by?

Paris was a pedant fool

Meting beauty by the rule:

Pallas? Juno? Venus?—he

Should have chosen all the three!