Child Lovers

Now soon she tied her lover with some string,

And laughed, and danced around him in a ring;

He, like a flower that gossamer has tied,

Stood standing quiet there, and full of pride.

Lord, how she laughed! Her golden ringlets shook

As fast as lambs’ tails, when those youngsters suck;

Sweeter than that enchantress laughed, when she

Shut Merlin fast forever in a tree.

As they went home, that little boy began:

“Love me and, when I’m a big sailor-man,

I’ll bring you home more coral, silk, and gold,

Than twenty-five four-funnelled ships could hold.

“And fifty coffins carried to their grave,

Will not have half the lilies you shall have:

Now say at once that you will be my love—

And have a pearl ten stallions could net move.”