WHO'LL BUY MY LOVE-KNOTS?
Reading edition
(PORTUGUESE AIR.)
Hymen, late, his love-knots selling, Called at many a maiden's dwelling: None could doubt, who saw or knew them, Hymen's call was welcome to them. "Who'll buy my love-knots? "Who'll buy my love-knots?" Soon as that sweet cry resounded How his baskets were surrounded!
Maids, who now first dreamt of trying These gay knots of Hymen's tying; Dames, who long had sat to watch him Passing by, but ne'er could catch him;— "Who'll buy my love-knots? "Who'll buy my love-knots?"— All at that sweet cry assembled; Some laughed, some blushed, and some trembled.
"Here are knots," said Hymen, taking Some loose flowers, "of Love's own making; "Here are gold ones—you may trust 'em"— (These, of course, found ready custom). "Come, buy my love-knots! "Come, buy my love-knots! "Some are labelled 'Knots to tie men— "Love the maker—Bought of Hymen.'"
Scarce their bargains were completed, When the nymphs all cried, "We're cheated! "See these flowers—they're drooping sadly; "This gold-knot, too, ties but badly— "Who'd buy such love-knots? "Who'd buy such love-knots? "Even this tie, with Love's name round it— "All a sham—He never bound it."
Love, who saw the whole proceeding, Would have laughed, but for good breeding; While Old Hymen, who was used to Cries like that these dames gave loose to— "Take back our love-knots! "Take back our love-knots!" Coolly said, "There's no returning "Wares on Hymen's hands—Good morning!"