And in each moment passing fleet
He racked his wits for some conceit
To supplement his feeble power
In asking for the maiden's hand;
While she impatient of delay,
But looked the words she dared not say,
And wished that he might understand.
Only a word and idle breath,
But yes was life, and no was death.
He racked his wits for some conceit
To supplement his feeble power
In asking for the maiden's hand;
While she impatient of delay,
But looked the words she dared not say,
And wished that he might understand.
Only a word and idle breath,
But yes was life, and no was death.
IF I BUT HAD THE KEY
If I but had the little key
That opes my lady's wayward heart
I'd turn the bolt, and then I'd see
If love e'er pierced it with his dart;
And if her love was all for me
I'd enter in and lock the door,
And live with love forevermore.
That opes my lady's wayward heart
I'd turn the bolt, and then I'd see
If love e'er pierced it with his dart;
And if her love was all for me
I'd enter in and lock the door,
And live with love forevermore.
THE BALL DRESS
They dressed my lady for the ball—
In softest satins, fashioned so
They left her arms and neck to show
That they were fair as snows that fall,
With richest laces over all.
About her form's exquisite mould
Fell many a graceful shining fold,
In softest satins, fashioned so
They left her arms and neck to show
That they were fair as snows that fall,
With richest laces over all.
About her form's exquisite mould
Fell many a graceful shining fold,
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