SONG.—YES OR NO.

The Baron de Vaux hath a valiant crest,— My Lady is fair and free; The Baron is full of mirth and jest,— My Lady is full of glee; But their path, we know, is a path of woe, And many the reason guess,— The Baron will ever mutter “No” When my Lady whispers “Yes.” The Baron will pass the wine-cup round,— My Lady forth will roam; The Baron will out with horse and hound,— My Lady sits at home; The Baron will go to draw the bow,— My Lady will go to chess; And the Baron will ever mutter “No” When my Lady whispers “Yes.” The Baron hath ears for a lovely lay, If my Lady sings it not; The Baron is blind to a beauteous day, If it beam in my Lady’s grot; The Baron bows low to a furbelow, If it be not my Lady’s dress; And the Baron will ever mutter “No” When my Lady whispers “Yes.” Now saddle my steed, and helm my head, Be ready in the porch; Stout Guy, with a ladder of silken thread, And trusty Will, with a torch; The wind may blow, the torrent flow,— No matter,—on we press; I never can hear the Baron’s “No” When my Lady whispers “Yes.”