Love

1     Canst thou love me, lady?
2         I've not learn'd to woo:
3     Thou art on the shady
4         Side of sixty too.
5     Still I love thee dearly!
6         Thou hast lands and pelf:
7     But I love thee merely
8         Merely for thyself.

9     Wilt thou love me, fairest?
10       Though thou art not fair;
11   And I think thou wearest
12       Someone-else's hair.
13   Thou could'st love, though, dearly:
14       And, as I am told,
15   Thou art very nearly
16       Worth thy weight, in gold.

17   Dost thou love me, sweet love?
18       Tell me that thou dost!
19   Women fairly beat one,
20       But I think thou must.
21   Thou art loved so dearly:
22       I am plain, but then
23   Thou (to speak sincerely)
24       Art as plain again.

25   Love me, bashful fairy!
26       I've an empty purse:
27   And I've 'moods,' which vary;
28       Mostly for the worse.
29   Still, I love thee dearly:
30       Though I make (I feel)
31   Love a little queerly,
32       I'm as true as steel.

33   Love me, swear to love me
34      (As, you know, they do)
35   By yon heaven above me
36       And its changeless blue.
37   Love me, lady, dearly,
38       If you'll be so good;
39   Though I don't see clearly
40       On what ground you should.

41   Love me -- ah or love me
42       Not, but be my bride!
43   Do not simply shove me
44      (So to speak) aside!
45   P'raps it would be dearly
46       Purchased at the price;
47   But a hundred yearly
48       Would be very nice.