Lilian
First printed in 1830.
1
Airy, fairy Lilian,
Flitting, fairy Lilian,
When I ask her if she love me,
Claps her tiny hands above me,
Laughing all she can;
She’ll not tell me if she love me,
Cruel little Lilian.
2
When my passion seeks
Pleasance in love-sighs
She, looking thro’ and thro’1 me
Thoroughly to undo me,
Smiling, never speaks:
So innocent-arch, so cunning-simple,
From beneath her gather’d wimple2
Glancing with black-beaded eyes,
Till the lightning laughters dimple
The baby-roses in her cheeks;
Then away she flies.
3
Prythee weep, May Lilian!
Gaiety without eclipse
Wearieth me, May Lilian:
Thro’3 my very heart it thrilleth
When from crimson-threaded4 lips
Silver-treble laughter5 trilleth:
Prythee weep, May Lilian.
4
Praying all I can,
If prayers will not hush thee,
Airy Lilian,
Like a rose-leaf I will crush thee,
Fairy Lilian.
Notes
1 1830. Through and through me.
2 1830. Purfled.
3 1830. Through.
4 With “crimson-threaded” cf. Cleveland’s Sing-song on Clarinda’s Wedding, “Her lips those threads of scarlet dye”; but the original is Solomons Song iv. 3, “Thy lips are like a thread of scarlet”.
5 1830. Silver treble-laughter.