Bohemian Poems, Ancient and Modern/The Epression 'No.'
THE EXPRESSION ‘NO.’
ERE I won my love’s affections.
There to school I needs must go,
Did I ask her or entreat her,
Evermore she answer’d, No.
Once we in a lovely valley
Sate a linden-tree below,
For a little kiss I ask’d her,
But she gave me answer, No.
Near a nightingale is sitting,
Singing soft of love and woe,
I inquire, if love she feeleth,
But she gives me answer, No.
Quick I turn the conversation,
While my veins with fever glow—
Must I then for ever shun thee?
But she softly whisper’d, No.
To my heart I fold, I press her,
Kiss her till the echoes flow,
Then I ask her, if she’s angry,
But she softly whispers, No.
Thus I now have learnt sufficient;
Wishes cannot further go,
Sweet to me is now th’ expression,
That was once so bitter, No.