Classic Poem

I

" Yes ," I answered you last night;
" No," this morning, sir, I say:
Colors seen by candle-light
Will not look the same by day.

II

When the viols played their best,
Lamps above and laughs below,
Love me sounded like a jest,
Fit for yes or fit for no .

III

Call me false or call me free,
Vow, whatever light may shine, —
No man on your face shall see
Any grief for change on mine.

IV

Yet the sin is on us both;
Time to dance is not to woo;
Wooing light makes fickle troth,
Scorn of me recoils on you .

V

Learn to win a lady's faith
Nobly, as the thing is high,
Bravely, as for life and death,
With a loyal gravity.

VI

Lead her from the festive boards,
Point her to the starry skies;
Guard her, by your truthful words,
Pure from courtship's flatteries.

VII

By your truth she shall be true,
Ever true, as wives of yore;
And her yes , once said to you,
S HALL be Yes for evermore.