The Complete Poems of Paul Laurence Dunbar/The Wooing

THE WOOING

A youth went faring up and down, Alack and well-a-day. He fared him to the market town, Alack and well-a-day. And there he met a maiden fair, With hazel eyes and auburn hair; His heart went from him then and there, Alack and well-a-day.

She posies sold right merrily, Alack and well-a-day; But not a flower was fair as she, Alack and well-a-day. He bought a rose and sighed a sigh, "Ah, dearest maiden, would that I Might dare the seller too to buy!" Alack and well-a-day.

She tossed her head, the coy coquette, Alack and well-a-day. "I'm not, sir, in the market yet," Alack and well-a-day. "Your love must cool upon a shelf; Tho' much I sell for gold and pelf, I 'm yet too young to sell myself," Alack and well-a-day.

The youth was filled with sorrow sore, Alack and well-a-day. And looked he at the maid once more, Alack and well-a-day. Then loud he cried, "Fair maiden, if Too young to sell, now as I live, You're not too young yourself to give," Alack and well-a-day.

The little maid cast down her eyes, Alack and well-a-day. And many a flush began to rise, Alack and well-a-day. "Why, since you are so bold," she said, "I doubt not you are highly bred, So take me!" and the twain were wed, Alack and well-a-day.