Something pretty, e’er long

Midst the troop he explores;
The eager boy signs me

To go within doors.

I bashfully go,—­

Who I am, he can’t trace;
He pinches my cheeks,

And he looks in my face.

The town girl now threatens

You maidens with war;
Her twofold charms pledges .

Of victory are.

1803.
-----
Lover in all shapes.

To be like a fish,
Brisk and quick, is my wish;
If thou cam’st with thy line. 
Thou wouldst soon make me thine. 
To be like a fish,
Brisk and quick, is my wish.

Oh, were I a steed! 
Thou wouldst love me indeed. 
Oh, were I a car
Fit to bear thee afar! 
Oh, were I a steed! 
Thou wouldst love me indeed.

I would I were gold
That thy fingers might hold! 
If thou boughtest aught then,
I’d return soon again. 
I would I were gold
That thy fingers might hold!

I would I were true,
And my sweetheart still new! 
To be faithful I’d swear,
And would go away ne’er. 
I would I were true,
And my sweetheart still new!

I would I were old,
And wrinkled and cold,
So that if thou said’st No,
I could stand such a blow! 
I would I were old,
And wrinkled and cold.

An ape I would be,
Full of mischievous glee;
If aught came to vex thee,
I’d plague and perplex thee. 
An ape I would be,
Full of mischievous glee

As a lamb I’d behave,
As a lion be brave,
As a lynx clearly see,
As a fox cunning be. 
As a lamb I’d behave,
As a lion be brave.

Whatever I were,
All on thee I’d confer;
With the gifts of a prince
My affection evince. 
Whatever I were,
All on thee I’d confer.

As nought diff’rent can make me,
As I am thou must take me! 
If I’m not good enough,
Thou must cut thine own stuff. 
As nought diff’rent can make me,
As I am thou must take me!

1815.*
-----
The Goldsmith’s apprentice.

My neighbour, none can e’er deny,

Is a most beauteous maid;
Her shop is ever in mine eye,

When working at my trade.

To ring and chain I hammer then

The wire of gold assay’d,
And think the while:  “For Kate, oh when

Will such a ring be made?”

And when she takes her shutters down,

Her shop at once invade,
To buy and haggle, all the town,

For all that’s there displayd.

I file, and maybe overfile

The wire of gold assay’d;
My master grumbles all the while,—­

Her shop the mischief made.

To ply her wheel she straight begins,

When not engaged in trade;
I know full well for what she spins,—­

’Tis hope guides that dear maid.

Her leg, while her small foot treads on,