Pearl.
A winsome, dainty little maiden1
Trips o’er the lea,2
Her tiny hands with flowers laden,3
Less fair than she.4
The sun with ling’ring ray caresses5
Her silken hair,6
And zephyrs wave the clust’ring tresses7
With tender care.8
Her eyes—what boon could we refuse them ?9
Not I, nor you ;10
The sly puss well knows how to use them,11
And does it too !12
I fancy there’ll be some heart-breaking,13
Where now all’s play ;14
What havoc those eyes will be making15
Some future day !16
Meanwhile, enjoy thy springtime early,17
Like bird on wing ;18
Nor seek to know, my pretty Pearlie,19
What years may bring.20