George Darley

Lenimina Laborum. 18. The Cross-Examination

Silly maiden! tell me why
Grows your cheek so red,
When young Allan passes by?
Silly, silly maid!

Witless creature! what is this
Turns your cheek to pearl '?
Has he stol'n your fancy?—"Yes!"
Witless, witless girl!

Simple lassie! where and when
Did it come to pass?—
"While he woo'd me in the glen''—
Simple, simple lass!

Thoughtless fair one! so the youth
Vowed?—"O yes! and swore!"—
You believed him?—"Ah', in sooth!"
Thoughtless, thoughtless fair!

Hapless victim!—better dead
Than love-lorn for life!—
"Yes—but we have just been wed!"—
Happy, happy wife!