Lorelei

Yes, it’s you, you, you,

      Like a lily weighed with dew,

Like a graceful, swaying willow

      That the wind has paused to woo;

Sinuous and tall and slim,

Lips apart and eyes grown dim,

      Gently swaying, not to meet me,

Now beyond possession’s rim.

Oh, it’s me, me, me,

      Reaching, reaching out to thee!

Daring depths no thought may fathom,

      Whilst your lips, a-curve with glee,

Coax and mock and lure me down

Where my soul would gasp and drown!

      Oh, your eyes and your perfections!

Coaxing lips, repelling frown1

Oh, it’s cool, cool, cool,

      Is the shaded wayside pool,

And the path beneath the forests,

      Where contented lovers drool;

I would rather your relies

And the fencing of your eyes,

      And your swaying to and from me—

From and to—in luring wise.

Let them kiss, kiss, kiss,

      With their counterfeit of bliss.

There’s a keener, deeper pleasure

      In pursuing joy like this,

When joy pauses, turns and flies,

Hesitates, and stops and sighs!

      When your lips put, and your lashes

Hide the devil in your eyes.

Lilts O Love Table Of Contents