The Complete Poems of Paul Laurence Dunbar/The Dance

by Paul Laurence Dunbar

For works with similar titles, see The Dance.

THE DANCE

Heel and toe, heel and toe,
  That is the song we sing;
Turn to your partner and curtsey low,
  Balance and forward and swing.
Corners are draughty and meadows are white,
This is the game for a winter's night.

Hands around, hands around,
  Trip it, and not too slow;
Clear is the fiddle and sweet its sound,
  Keep the girls' cheeks aglow.
Still let your movements be dainty and light,
This is the game for a winter's night.

Back to back, back to back,
  Turn to your place again;
Never let lightness nor nimbleness lack,
  Either in maidens or men.
Time hasteth ever, beware of its flight,
Oh, what a game for a winter's night!

Slower now, slower now,
  Softer the music sighs;
Look, there are beads on your partner's brow
  Though there be light in her eyes.
Lead her away and her grace requite,
So goes the game on a winter's night.