Lyrics of Lowly Life/Retort
For other versions of this work, see Retort (Dunbar).
RETORT.
"THOU art a fool," said my head to my heart,"Indeed, the greatest of fools thou art, To be led astray by the trick of a tress, By a smiling face or a ribbon smart;" And my heart was in sore distress.
Then Phyllis came by, and her face was fair, The light gleamed soft on her raven hair; And her lips were blooming a rosy red. Then my heart spoke out with a right bold air: "Thou art worse than a fool, O head!"