HIS ARGUMENT

One time I wooed a maid ( dear is she yet! )

All in the revel eye of young Love's moon.

Content she made me,— ah, my dimpling mate,

My Springtime girl, who walked with flower-shoon!

But near me, nearer, steals a deep-eyed maid

With creeping glance that sees and will not see,

And blush that would those yea-sweet eyes upbraid,—

O, might I woo her nor inconstant be!

But is not Autumn dreamtime of the Spring?

( Yon scarlet fruit-bell is a flower asleep;)

And I am not forsworn if yet I keep

Dream-faith with Spring in Autumn's deeper kiss.

Then so, brown maiden, take this true-love ring,

And lay thy long, soft locks where my heart is.