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THE LADY'S 'YES', by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Yes!' I answered you last night
Last Line: Shall be yes for evermore.
Subject(s): Flirtation; Love


I

"YES," I answered you last night;
"No," this morning, sir, I say:
Colors seen by candle-light
Will not look the same by day.

II

When the viols played their best,
Lamps above and laughs below,
Love me sounded like a jest,
Fit for yes or fit for no.

III

Call me false or call me free,
Vow, whatever light may shine, --
No man on your face shall see
Any grief for change on mine.

IV

Yet the sin is on us both;
Time to dance is not to woo;
Wooing light makes fickle troth,
Scorn of me recoils on you.

V

Learn to win a lady's faith
Nobly, as the thing is high,
Bravely, as for life and death,
With a loyal gravity.

VI

Lead her from the festive boards,
Point her to the starry skies;
Guard her, by your truthful words,
Pure from courtship's flatteries.

VII

By your truth she shall be true,
Ever true, as wives of yore;
And her yes, once said to you,
SHALL be Yes for evermore.





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